TACLOBAN CITY – At least alleged members of the New People’s Army or NPA were killed while several others have returned to the fold of the law following series of operations by government troops covering the months of May and June.

This was disclosed by the 8th Infantry Division (ID) which is under the command of Major General Adonis Ariel Orio.

Between May and June 2025, soldiers engaged in five armed encounters across Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar, recovering nine high-powered firearms, war materiel, and intelligence that led to the disruption of major NPA units, according to a report released Tuesday, June 24.

“We have dealt another significant blow to the communist terrorist group ranks,” Orio said in a statement issued on Tuesday, June 24. “This is all thanks to the invaluable cooperation of the residents of Eastern Visayas.”

Among the most significant incidents was the June 3 clash in Catubig, Northern Samar, which resulted in the death of five NPA fighters, including identified leaders Noel Lebico Sr., Arnel Aquino, and Nonoy Norcio. The military recovered a Squad Automatic Weapon, an M16 rifle, and an Uzi submachine gun from the site.

Earlier, on May 26, two members of the Sub-Regional Committee Sesame—known by their aliases Jud/Atom/Iso and Nadin/Brix/Arian—surrendered in Basey, Samar, and turned over an M4 A1 Carbine and an M16 rifle to the 63rd Infantry Battalion.

On June 2, alias In-In, the vice squad leader of the NPA’s Squad 1, Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit Arctic, operating in Northern Samar, also surrendered to the 20th Infantry Battalion. His surrender led to the recovery of four firearms, hand grenades, and medical supplies from a hidden arms cache. Another rebel, alias Bug-ot of the Regional Guerrilla Unit under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), yielded to authorities the same day.

Further operations on June 9 in San Jose de Buan, Samar, saw government troops engage 30 suspected members of the Yakal Platoon. They recovered four M16 rifles, a .45-caliber pistol, medical kits, and personal belongings.

The most recent firefight took place on June 15 in Barangay Pinanag-an, Borongan City, Eastern Samar, where rebel Jomar Discar (also known as Guimo/Bobby) was killed and an M653 rifle seized.

Maj. Gen. Orio emphasized that these victories bring the region closer to “the final lap” in its campaign to end the decades-long insurgency.

“We will not rest until the threat posed by communist terrorist groups is fully eradicated. We will scour every mountain to find them and put an irreversible end to their atrocities,” Orio vowed.

Despite the intensified combat operations, Orio reiterated that the government remains open to peaceful resolution, calling on remaining NPA fighters to surrender and avail of the national amnesty program.

“These doors are open—not just for laying down arms, but for building new lives,” he added.

(JOEY A. GABIETA/LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – In a push to promote digital literacy and inclusion, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in the region has distributed laptops to 23 local government units (LGUs) in the region under its flagship program, Project CLICK (Courses for Literacy in Internet and Computer Knowledge).

The laptop turnover was held during the culminating event of the National ICT Month Celebration, themed “Digital Bayanihan: Walang Iwanan,” at The Tropics in Tacloban City. DICT OIC-Regional Director Atty. Melvyn Carlo Barroa and Alexis Yu of Tingog Party-list, representing Rep. Jude Acidre, led the ceremonial handover of the devices to local chief executives and LGU representatives.

Project CLICK aims to enhance access to digital tools and equip communities with essential computer and internet skills to improve governance, education, and overall productivity.
The LGUs that received laptops include in Biliran, provincial government of Biliran, and the municipality of Caibiran; in Samar, Sta. Rita, San Sebastian, Marabut, and Jiabong; in Southern Leyte, Liloan, Anahawan, and St. Bernard.

In Leyte, the towns of Alangalang, Tolosa, Calubian, Carigara, MacArthur, Matag-ob; in Eastern Samar, San Julian, Hernani, Lawaan, San Policarpo; and in Northern Samar, Lope de Vega, Gamay, and Lapinig.

Atty. Barroa emphasized the importance of collaboration under the Digital Bayanihan spirit.
“This is a forum for us in DICT Region 8 to engage our stakeholders. Under our ‘Walang Iwanan’ team, we are ready to help—whether through extra laptops, trainers, or Starlink access. Let’s work together to fulfill our shared mandate,” he said.

During the same event, the DICT also recognized 11 local chief executives whose LGUs were among the first to receive the agency’s eGov Kiosks—digital platforms that bring government services closer to the public.

These included the mayors of the cities of Tacloban, Ormoc, Baybay, Maasin, Catbalogan, Calbayog, and Borongan, and the municipalities of Catarman, Carigara, Naval, and Palo.

Earlier that day, the DICT also broke ground for its new regional office located in Barangay 25, Tacloban City. The project will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways–Tacloban District Engineering Office.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY – In a major breakthrough in Eastern Visayas’ anti-drug campaign, two high-profile drug suspects were arrested and over P340,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized during a joint buy-bust operation in Barangay San Roque, Tanauan, Leyte, in the early hours of June 25.

The suspects, identified only by their aliases “Ador,” 51, listed as the top target in the Police Regional Office 8’s (PRO-8) Regional Priority Target List (RPTL), and “Joe,” 22, a butcher tagged as a high-value individual (HVI), were apprehended at around 1:45 a.m.

The operation was spearheaded by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 8 (RPDEU-8), in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) Tracker Team and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Regional Office 8 (PDEA-RO8).

Authorities confiscated approximately 50.63 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of P344,352.20, based on Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) valuation. Marked money and drug paraphernalia used during the transaction were also recovered.

All confiscated items were properly documented and inventoried at the scene in the presence of barangay officials and media representatives, in accordance with legal procedures. Charges against the suspects are now being prepared.

PRO-8 Regional Director PB/Gen.Jay Cumigad commended the operatives for the swift and well-coordinated operation.

“This operation is a testament to the value of timely intelligence and coordinated action. We remain relentless in our campaign to rid communities of illegal drugs and bring high-value targets to justice,” Cumigad said. “We will not stop until we achieve a drug-free Eastern Visayas.”

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)