TACLOBAN CITY – Two 14-year-old girls were rescued by government troops following a firefight between the military and suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay San Nicolas, San Jose de Buan, Samar, on March 14, 2025.

Soldiers from the 87th Infantry Battalion were conducting operations in the area when they came under fire from rebels under the Yakal Platoon, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Browser, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).

Amid the clash, troops spotted the two unarmed minors and immediately secured them, according to a report from the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) based in Catbalogan City, Samar, released on Thursday, March 20.

The rescued girls were turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) in San Jose de Buan, where they received medical attention and psychological support.

According to an interview conducted by an MSWDO officer, the girls had been in the area gathering vegetables when a rebel fighter allegedly approached them and attempted to recruit them, the 8th ID said.

At the encounter site, government troops recovered one .45-caliber pistol with a magazine; one improvised homemade firearm; two cellular phones; documents detailing recruitment plans; and other personal belongings.

Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th ID, praised the troops for their swift action in rescuing the minors.

“Our troops will relentlessly fulfill their mandate of ensuring the safety and security of the people in Eastern Visayas, especially our children and youth, who often fall victim to the CTGs’ twisted ideology,” Maj. Gen. Orio said in a statement.

Meanwhile, San Jose de Buan Mayor Joaquin Elizalde strongly condemned the attempt to recruit minors and urged the public to remain vigilant.

“We must protect our children from being recruited as child warriors, forced laborers, and other forms of exploitation. It is our responsibility to ensure that children’s rights are protected and respected. Let us work together to create a place where children can grow up safely, securely, and with dignity,” Mayor Elizalde said, as quoted in the 8ID report.

The 8th ID said that under Republic Act 11188 or the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act, it explicitly prohibits the recruitment, exploitation, and use of children in armed conflict.

(ROBERT DEJON/ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Heavy rains brought by a shear line affecting most of Eastern Visayas prompted several local government units to cancel work and classes on Thursday, March 20.

In Eastern Samar, Governor Ben Evardone issued an executive order suspending classes at all levels in both private and public schools, as well as work in all government offices across the province due to the persistent heavy rainfall.

In Biliran province, work and classes were also suspended in all of its eight municipalities, including its provincial capital, Naval.

In Leyte, among the areas that suspended both work and classes were Tacloban City and the towns of Albuera, Burauen, Dagami, Carigara, Tunga, Tolosa, Abuyog, and Palo.
Several municipalities in Samar province, including Daram, Motiong, and Basey, also suspended classes. In Northern Samar, classes were canceled in Catubig and Lope de Vega due to continuous rains.

Flooding was reported in 14 out of 24 barangays in Taft, Eastern Samar, as well as in the municipalities of Can-avid and Sulat in the same province.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Eastern Samar reported that a road section along Wright-Taft in Borongan was rendered impassable to all types of vehicles due to flooding.

In Leyte, flooding incidents were reported in several barangays of Mayorga, Villaba, Tanauan, and Tacloban City, including the northern villages where resettlement houses for Typhoon Yolanda survivors are located.

Landslide incidents were also reported in Barangay Pinarigusan, San Miguel, Leyte and in Brgy. San Gabriel, Borongan City.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard in Northern Samar issued an advisory suspending sea travel along the northern and eastern coasts of the province due to bad weather conditions.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in the region placed most of Eastern Visayas under a red warning category on Thursday morning, indicating the potential for heavy rains that could trigger flooding and landslides.

It advised all local government units to remain on high alert and take necessary precautions to prevent any loss of life.

(JOEY A. GABIETA with student intern LANCE ARCHIE TORING)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO) joins forces with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Tacloban City to conduct the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) for the first quarter of the year, held on March 13, 2025.

Spearheaded by TCDEO’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) aided by Senior Fire Officer 1 (SFO1) Rowena C. Bulawan, SFO1 Jayvee Arandia, and Fire Officer 1 (FO1) Adriane Niña Vinculado from BFP Tacloban, the drill focused on ensuring that TCDEO employees are thoroughly prepared and equipped to respond efficiently during seismic events.

Following the drill, an evaluation meeting was convened attended by SFO1 Rowena C. Bulawan, SFO1 Jayvee Arandia, FO1 Adriane Niña Vinculado, and TCDEO’s Emergency Response Team. During this session, BFP personnel provided a thorough review of the drill’s performance, discussing both its strengths and areas in need of improvement. A primary focus of the meeting was the prompt activation of the Fire Brigade Team, which was identified as important in ensuring rapid response during real-life seismic scenarios. The evaluators also noted that the Emergency Brigade Team must undergo proper training to further their knowledge in responding to emergency situations such as earthquakes.

District Engineer Rebecca G. Yuse explained the critical role these drills play in ensuring overall preparedness. She noted, “Regular drills are essential to maintain the readiness and safety of our office and staff. They serve not only as practical training sessions but also as opportunities to review and refine our emergency response procedures. By simulating real-life seismic events, we can pinpoint potential gaps in our strategies and improve our coordination.”
(PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT)

Leyte, Eastern Visayas, Philippines – The Philippine Statistics Authority – Leyte Provincial Statistical Office (PSA Leyte) proudly participated in the kickoff ceremony of the 2025 National Women’s Month Celebration hosted by the Philippine National Police – Police Regional Office VIII (PNP-PRO 8). The event, held on 03 March 2025, highlighted the role of women in nation-building and promoted gender equality and inclusivity.

As part of its commitment to bringing essential government services closer to the people, PSA Leyte showcased its National ID services during the event. Attendees were provided with opportunities to register for the National Identification System, change/correct their demographic information, and receive their National ID in Paper Form — ensuring that more individuals gain access to a valid and secure proof of identity.

PSA Leyte is honored to be part of this significant celebration that recognizes the contributions of women in society. Through our National ID services, we aim to empower women and all citizens by providing them with a reliable form of identification that enables easier access to government and private sector services.

The kick-off ceremony featured various activities, including awareness campaigns, discussions on women’s rights, and recognition of female leaders in law enforcement and public service. PSA Leyte’s active participation underscored its support for gender-responsive initiatives and the government’s broader efforts toward inclusive development.
The PSA encourages the public to continue availing themselves of National ID services to enjoy the benefits of a standardized and secure national identification system.

For more information, individuals may visit the nearest PSA office in Leyte. Moreover, stay updated by following official PSA Leyte’s FB page: facebook.com/psaleyte2 or reach us thru our email address: leyte@psa.gov.ph. (PR)