TACLOBAN CITY — More than 100 families displaced by a fire that razed dozens of homes in Barangay Poblacion 3, Catbalogan City received food assistance from Tingog party-list as they continue to recover from the disaster.

Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre led the turnover of relief goods on June 11 at the Catbalogan City Hall, together with Catbalogan City Mayor Dexter Uy and Barangay chairman Anastasia Juan.

The assistance consisted of sacks of rice and trays of eggs intended to help affected residents meet their immediate food needs while rebuilding their lives following the June 5 fire.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center, the fire broke out in Barangay Poblacion 3 at around 1 p.m. and was declared under control at about 4:30 p.m.

The incident affected 101 families, or 404 individuals, and damaged 69 residential houses. Of these, 56 houses were totally destroyed while 13 sustained partial damage.

“Alam po natin na hindi kayang tumbasan ng anumang tulong ang pagkawala ng tahanan at mga gamit na pinaghirapan ng bawat pamilya. Ngunit sa maliit na paraang ito, nais ng TINGOG na ipadama sa ating mga kababayan sa Catbalogan na hindi sila nag-iisa sa pagbangon,” Acidre said.

He said the relief effort forms part of Tingog’s continuing commitment to assist communities affected by disasters, particularly families requiring immediate support during the recovery period.

“Patuloy po tayong makikipag-ugnayan sa lokal na pamahalaan at sa mga komunidad upang maihatid ang tulong kung saan ito higit na kailangan,” Acidre added.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — A public school teacher and three other individuals were arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by anti-drug authorities in Barangay Cuta, Barugo, Leyte, on Friday evening, June 12, resulting in the seizure of suspected shabu and other drug-related paraphernalia.

Authorities identified the suspects only by their aliases: “Ron,” 41; “Sheila,” 41, a teacher and resident of Barugo; “Myrna,” 41, a self-employed woman; and “Naldo,” 34, a security guard. All are residents of Barugo, Leyte.

The operation, conducted at around 7:44 p.m., was carried out by joint elements of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 8 (RDEU-8), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 8 (PDEA-8) through its Tacloban City Office and Regional Special Enforcement Team, the Leyte Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Unit, the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, and the Barugo Municipal Police Station under the coordination of PDEA-8.

The buy-bust operation led to the arrest of the four suspects and the confiscation of several items believed to be connected to illegal drug activities.

Recovered from the suspects were one sachet of suspected shabu used as the subject of sale, seven additional sachets and five knot-tied plastic cellophanes containing suspected shabu, a digital weighing scale, disposable lighters, teaspoons, an orange plastic tray, and a rolled aluminum foil believed to have been used as an improvised burner. Authorities also seized marked money and boodle money utilized during the operation.

The confiscated items were marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the required witnesses in accordance with existing procedures. The total weight and value of the suspected shabu are still being determined by the Regional Forensic Unit 8.

Authorities are preparing the appropriate criminal charges against the four suspects for alleged violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY– The skeletal remains of a 73-year-old farmer who had been missing for nearly five months were discovered in a mountainous area of Barangay Kawayanon, Caibiran, Biliran on Friday afternoon, June 12.

Police identified the victim only by her alias, “Coring,” a resident of said village who was reported missing on January 13 this year.

According to a report submitted by the Caibiran Municipal Police Station to the Police Regional Office 8, Barangay Chairman Donato Demate personally reported the discovery of human skeletal remains in a remote mountainous area of the village at around 4:15 p.m.
Acting on the report, personnel from the Caibiran Municipal Police Station, the Bureau of Fire Protection Emergency Medical Service, and the Caibiran Rescue Service immediately proceeded to the area to verify the information and conduct an investigation.

Upon arrival, responders found skeletal human remains with bones and hair already disarticulated.

Police said the victim was identified by her son through clothing recovered at the scene. He informed authorities that his mother had been missing since the morning of January 13.
The Biliran Provincial Forensic Unit was requested to process the scene and conduct further examination of the remains.

Authorities have yet to determine the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death as the investigation continues.

(ROBERT DEJON)