TACLOBAN CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will distribute fuel subsidies worth P3,000 to 3,140 fishermen across the six provinces of Eastern Visayas starting this month, as part of its ongoing fuel subsidy program aimed at easing the financial burden on local fisherfolk.

According to Christine Gresola, BFAR’s regional information officer, the program, which began in 2022, provides financial assistance to help fishermen cope with the rising costs of fuel.

“This initiative is designed to alleviate the financial strain on our fisherfolk and enable them to make the most of their motorized boats and fishing equipment,” Gresola said in an interview.

For 2024, BFAR has allocated a total of P9.4 million for the program. Each of the 3,140 qualified beneficiaries will receive a one-time subsidy of P3,000 this month.

The breakdown of the recipients by province is as follows: Southern Leyte with 735 beneficiaries; Leyte, 576 beneficiaries; Samar, 558 beneficiaries; Eastern Samar,496 beneficiaries; Northern Samar, 394; and Biliran with 381 beneficiaries.

Gresola clarified that the fuel subsidy is a one-time benefit for each recipient.

These 3,140 fishermen are part of the second tranche of the program, which covers the 2023-2024 period. The first tranche, launched in 2022, benefited 5,729 fishermen, with a total funding of P17.1 million.

To qualify for the program, fishermen must be registered under one of the following: Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA); Municipal Fisherfolk Registry (FishR); and Boat Registration (BoatR).

“Additionally, applicants must own or operate motorized bancas with a gross tonnage of three tons or below,” Gresola said.

Eligible beneficiaries will receive cash cards that can be used exclusively to claim the fuel subsidy at designated partner fuel stations under BFAR’s program.

“Beneficiaries can only use the cash card for fuel purchases at our partner oil companies and fuel stations,” Gresola explained.

The program continues to support the livelihoods of local fishermen, helping them maintain their productivity and sustain their work despite rising operational costs.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Several firearms and ammunition belonging to members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were discovered and recovered by military forces on the outskirts of Barangay Buak Daku, Sogod, in Southern Leyte on Sunday morning, February 2.

The discovery, made by personnel from the 14th Infantry Battalion included one M16 rifle, one short magazine, and various subversive materials.

“The success of this operation and the discovery of the weapons cache is the result of ongoing dialogues and consultations with former rebels,” the 802nd Infantry Brigade, based in Ormoc City, said in a statement.

“This is also part of our continued efforts to target the remnants of the Island Committee LEVOX, which operates in the area,” it added.

It also said that the 802nd IB has been leading efforts to dismantle the remaining NPA elements on Leyte Island.

The firearms and ammunition were recovered due to valuable information provided by former NPA members, alongside continued military operations and the support of local stakeholders.

Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, commanding officer of the 802nd IB, commended the 14th IB personnel, led by its commander, Lt. Col. Edgar Gabia, for successfully building trust and cooperation with former rebels, local government units, and the community, which have now become key partners in the region’s pursuit of peace.

“The recovery of these war materials is a clear testament to the commitment of former IC LEVOX members in supporting the government’s goal of achieving peace by ensuring the safety and security of our communities,” Vestuir said.

He reiterated his appeal for the remaining NPA members to surrender, return to their families, and take advantage of the government programs available to former rebels.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY—Three individuals were arrested after authorities discovered at least three kilos of suspected shabu in their possession during a checkpoint operation along Maharlika Highway in Barangay New Mahayag, Catbalogan City, on January 27.

The suspects, currently detained at the Catbalogan City Police Station, were identified as alias “Don-Don,” 42, a driver; alias “Kokoy,” 48, self-employed; and alias “Mer,” 40, a construction worker—all residents of Barangay Crossing, Libona, Bukidnon.

According to a report submitted to Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), the operation was conducted by the Western Samar Provincial Highway Patrol Team in coordination with the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), Catbalogan City Police Station (CPS), Samar Police Explosives and Canine Unit (PECU), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) K9 Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 8.

Authorities acted on intelligence information that a gray Mazda pick-up, bearing an improvised plate number, was traveling from Manila via the Matnog-Allen port en route to Bukidnon.

When the vehicle reached the designated checkpoint, officers from the Highway Patrol Group flagged it down for using an improvised plate number and instructed the driver to roll down the window.

At that moment, one of the backseat passengers exhibited suspicious behavior—clutching a sachet of suspected shabu in his right hand while trying to hide it inside a black eco bag.
Sensing the possibility of illegal contraband, officers ordered the passengers to step out of the vehicle for inspection.

The search led to the discovery of the following items: seven plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu; three yellow plastic bags containing suspected shabu; one gray Mazda pick-up; one digital weighing scale; one improvised glass pipe with suspected shabu residue; and one roll of aluminum foil.

The suspects declined to give statements to the media but claimed they were merely asked by a friend to deliver the vehicle to Bukidnon.

Authorities have already filed charges against the suspects for violating Section 5 of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes the sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, and transportation of illegal drugs.

The suspects remain in police custody at the Catbalogan City Police Station.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – A total of 27 former rebels from Eastern Samar have submitted their applications for the government’s amnesty program.

The submissions were made during an orientation held at the 78th Infantry Battalion camp in Borongan City, where the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Catbalogan City provided detailed information about the program, its application process, and the benefits available to those who qualify.

The amnesty program is open to former rebels facing charges such as rebellion or insurrection, conspiracy to commit rebellion, illegal possession of firearms, and other related offenses.

However, crimes that are not eligible for amnesty include kidnapping for ransom, rape, massacre, crimes against chastity, violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, grave violations of the Geneva Convention, and other offenses that are internationally prohibited from being amnestied.

Among those who participated in the orientation was Jazzmine Odyssa B. Lutao, peace program officer III from the National Amnesty Commission. She was joined by Imelda Bonifacio, head of the Amnesty Management Unit at the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Peace Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), along with other officials from the Eastern Visayas Special Project Team (SPT).

Also present were Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office (ESPPO) Provincial Director Police Colonel Ernesto R. Macasil, PTF-ELCAC Focal Person Engr. Joselito Mutia from the Provincial Government of Eastern Samar, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Officer-in-Charge Lina Dulfo, and DILG-Eastern Samar Cluster Head Jerry Enriquez.

These officials expressed their continued support for the former rebels as they reintegrate into mainstream society.

As of now, the three Samar provinces have approximately 200 former rebels who have applied for the amnesty program.

They are being assisted by various infantry battalions assigned to the island, including those from the 87th IB (23 applicants), 46th IB (21), 3rd IB (6), 52nd IB (22), 19th IB (38), and 43rd IB (62).

The amnesty program is part of Executive Order No. 47, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in November 2023.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)