ORMOC CITY-A 50-year-old construction worker was found dead in an irrigation canal in Barangay Kiling, Tanauan, Leyte on Friday afternoon, May 1, authorities said.
Police identified the victim as alias “Jose,” a married resident of the barangay. His body was discovered around 5:40 p.m., partially submerged in the canal.
According to the Tanauan Municipal Police Station, officers responded to a report from a concerned citizen who called to report the discovery of what appeared to be a dead body. Upon arrival, police found the victim motionless and unresponsive in the waterway.
Initial investigation revealed that the victim was last seen alive around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, at a sari-sari store, where he had been drinking and was reportedly intoxicated. He did not return home afterward.
The victim was examined at the scene and declared dead by a physician from the Rural Health Unit.
Authorities requested assistance from the Regional Forensic Unit 8 Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) to process the area and conduct a post-mortem examination. Scene processing was completed at around 7:55 p.m. the same day.
Based on initial findings, investigators said there were no signs of foul play in the victim’s death.
The body was later brought to a local funeral service facility for proper disposition.
TACLOBAN CITY — Police in Eastern Visayas reported the surrender of at least nine individuals linked to insurgent groups in a series of operations conducted across the region from April 24 to 29, 2026.
Brigadier General Jason Capoy, regional director of the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), said authorities continue to encourage members of armed groups to return to the fold of the law through reintegration efforts.
“We remain committed to guiding them back to lawful and productive lives through government reintegration programs,” Capoy said in a statement.
According to PRO-8, the latest surrenders involved former unit militia members and individuals previously associated with various sub-regional committees operating in Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte, and Eastern Samar.
On April 29, two individuals identified only as alias “Inday,” 54, and alias “Jay,” 29, surrendered in separate areas in Calbiga, Samar and Lope de Vega, Northern Samar through the efforts of the 2nd Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company, in coordination with intelligence units. One of the surrenderers also turned over a rifle grenade.
Earlier, on April 28, another militia member, alias “Dondon,” 40, from Catarman, Northern Samar, yielded to authorities. Additional surrenders were recorded on April 26, including a 32-year-old man from Lope de Vega who handed over a rifle grenade, and two others from Bobon, Northern Samar and Dolores, Eastern Samar.
On April 25, a 28-year-old former rebel from Catarman also surrendered, followed by two more individuals on April 24 in separate operations in Eastern Samar and Leyte. One of them turned over a .38 caliber revolver, ammunition, a rifle grenade, and detonating cord.
All surrenderers are now under police custody for documentation and assessment for possible inclusion in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which provides assistance to former rebels seeking to reintegrate into society.
Eastern Visayas has long been affected by insurgency, with communist rebel groups operating in parts of the region since the late 1960s. Government forces have continued efforts to weaken these groups through security operations and programs encouraging voluntary surrender and reintegration.
Authorities said the recent wave of surrenders reflects ongoing efforts to address insurgency not only through law enforcement but also by offering pathways for former rebels to return to civilian life.
ORMOC CITY– Charges of illegal possession of firearms and grave threats were filed by the local police of Leyte, Leyte against a farmer who threatened a fellow farmer by pointing a homemade shotgun at about 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, in Brgy. Ugbon of said town.
Police identified the victim as alias “Marlon,” 53, farmer, married and a resident of the said barangay. The suspect was also identified as alias “Pedro,” 41, farmer, married also a resident of the said place.
Leyte police said that at about 11 a.m. on Saturday, the station received a phone call from Pulis sa Barangay (PSB) assigned at Brgy. Belen informing them of a commotion that transpired at Sitio Buongon, also of Brgy. Belen.
The police said that in response, the said PSB, together with personnel of Leyte MPS, immediately proceeded to the reported place to verify the veracity of the information and to conduct an investigation.
Initial investigation conducted by responding police disclosed that while the victim was at his piggery located near his residence, the suspect, who appeared to be under the influence of intoxicating liquor, arrived armed with a long firearm described as a homemade shotgun and carrying a belt bag.
The police said that the suspect suddenly pointed the firearm at the victim and uttered threatening words in the vernacular, “Patyon ta ka.” The victim replied, likewise in the vernacular, “Ibutang na, unsa may sala nako, pwede man ni nato estoryahan.”
The police added that thereafter, the suspect threw the firearm along the road and at that instance, a witness identified alias “Garry,” 45, farmer, married, Brgy. Ugbon, arrived and shouted in the vernacular, “Atras pre kay pusil na.”
However, the police said that the suspect continued approaching both the witness and the victim, but upon noticing the presence of the witness, the suspect fled from the area.
The witness told police that he retrieved the firearm and turned it over to the victim. The police added that upon their arrival the victim surrendered the said firearm to them which led to the immediate arrest of the suspect, who was found seated in front of a store near the place of the incident.
The suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and was apprised of his constitutional rights in a language that he understood and spoke.
The suspect was charged for violation of RA10591, the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Possession of Firearm, Ammunition, and Explosive.
DIALOGUE. Stakeholders from government agencies, local government units, civil society groups, and the private sector participate in a multi-sectoral dialogue led by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau on April 29, 2026, to address environmental and community concerns surrounding black sand mining operations in MacArthur, Leyte.(MGB-8)
DIALOGUE. Stakeholders from government agencies, local government units, civil society groups, and the private sector participate in a multi-sectoral dialogue led by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau on April 29, 2026, to address environmental and community concerns surrounding black sand mining operations in MacArthur, Leyte.(MGB-8)
MACARTHUR, Leyte– Government regulators, local officials, and community groups convened in a multi-sectoral dialogue led by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to tackle growing concerns over black sand mining operations in this town on April 29 as calls intensify for stricter oversight and environmental protection.
The meeting, organized by MGB Regional Office 8, brought together representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local government units of MacArthur and nearby Javier, mining firm Strongbuilt Mining Development Corporation, residents, and civil society organizations.
Discussions centered on key issues raised by affected communities, including potential environmental damage, disruptions to livelihoods, and the reported use of a suction dredger in mining activities.
Residents and advocacy groups voiced opposition to the dredging equipment, citing risks such as coastal erosion, harm to marine ecosystems, and possible long-term impacts on fisheries.
Some participants also questioned whether the equipment’s use complies with existing permits and environmental regulations, calling for clearer documentation and stricter monitoring.
Local officials acknowledged the economic benefits of mining, particularly in terms of local revenues, but stressed the need to ensure that such activities do not compromise environmental sustainability or community safety.
The MGB assured stakeholders that all concerns raised would undergo thorough evaluation, reiterating its mandate to regulate mining operations and enforce compliance with environmental standards.
The dialogue comes amid heightened scrutiny of black sand mining activities across Eastern Visayas, especially in coastal towns like MacArthur, where communities have increasingly raised concerns over environmental risks.
Critics, including Jesus Cabias, chairperson of the group Unahin Natin ang Diyos (UNLAD), have long warned about the potential consequences of black sand extraction. These include shoreline degradation, saltwater intrusion, and the displacement of coastal residents.
Cabias and other advocates have also called for greater transparency in mining agreements and more inclusive decision-making processes involving local communities, reflecting broader concerns about governance and accountability in the sector.
The April 29 dialogue marks an initial step toward addressing these issues, though stakeholders emphasized the need for continued consultations and concrete measures to resolve ongoing concerns.
Authorities have yet to announce specific agreements or policy changes following the meeting, with further discussions expected in the coming weeks.
TARA BASA! PROGRAM. Incoming Grade 2 pupils take part in a reading and comprehension tutorial under the “Tara, Basa!” program, a DSWD–DepEd initiative designed to strengthen early literacy skills among struggling learners. The 20-day intervention pairs student-tutors with pupils while also engaging parents in sessions on positive parenting and home-based learning support. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
TARA BASA! PROGRAM. Incoming Grade 2 pupils take part in a reading and comprehension tutorial under the “Tara, Basa!” program, a DSWD–DepEd initiative designed to strengthen early literacy skills among struggling learners. The 20-day intervention pairs student-tutors with pupils while also engaging parents in sessions on positive parenting and home-based learning support. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY — Education officials in Eastern Visayas are expressing optimism that the “Tara, Basa!” program will help strengthen the reading and comprehension skills of struggling elementary pupils, particularly incoming Grade 2 learners identified under the initiative.
The program is a joint undertaking of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Education (DepEd), designed to address early-grade learning gaps through structured 20-day tutorial sessions focused on reading proficiency and comprehension.
In the region, around 5,000 incoming Grade 2 pupils have been identified to undergo the intervention. In Tacloban City alone, about 1,300 learners were selected from 23 public schools.
DepEd Regional Information Officer Jasmin Calzita said the program supports the department’s core mission of developing lifelong learners by strengthening foundational skills at an early age.
“Reading with comprehension skills is one of the foundational skills that needs to be established at a young age to build academic success,” Calzita said, stressing the importance of early intervention in literacy development.
Sto. Niño Elementary School Principal Lily Talagon also expressed optimism that the program will yield positive results, noting that this is the first time schools in Tacloban are implementing the initiative.
“I believe that the Tara Basa program is a very good program to help our struggling incoming Grade 2 learners not only learn how to read but also improve comprehension,” Talagon said.
About 20 incoming Grade 2 pupils from her school have been identified under the summer tutorial program.
Aside from pupils, the program also engages parents and guardians, who undergo sessions on life skills, responsible parenting, and strengthening relationships within the family. Officials said this component is aimed at reinforcing learning support at home.
To encourage participation, financially challenged families of selected pupils receive a total incentive of P4,700 after completing the 20-day program, while college student-tutors—mostly graduating students—are given P9,040 in compensation based on the prevailing daily wage rate.
The program began on April 20 and is scheduled to conclude on May 15. DepEd officials said they hope the initiative will help close early literacy gaps and improve long-term learning outcomes among young learners in the region.
REPAIR. The current wet public market in Giporlos, Eastern Samar will soon undergo a major repair to improve the local economy. Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone and Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales recently conducted an ocular inspection to the site.
(THE EASTERN SAMAR PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
Officials from Eastern Samar State University and Bixter Academy formalize a partnership through a memorandum of agreement, paving the way for paid international internships that will allow Estehanon students to gain global work experience while earning abroad. Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone witnessed the signing of the agreement held on April 27. (EASTERN SAMAR PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY — Students of Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) may soon gain access to paid work-and-training opportunities abroad following a landmark partnership with Bixter Academy, a global internship facilitator known for deploying students to industry placements in Europe.
The agreement, formalized through a memorandum of agreement, positions ESSU as the first higher education institution in the Visayas to secure a collaboration of this kind—offering students, particularly those in agriculture and related disciplines, the chance to undergo structured international internships while earning income.
Bixter Academy specializes in paid internship programs that place students in real-world work environments such as farms, agri-enterprises, and other technical industries, primarily in countries like Denmark. Participants are given hands-on training aligned with their academic background, while also receiving compensation, making the program both a learning and livelihood opportunity.
The MOA was signed by Bixter Academy Chief Executive Officer Nataliya Jorgensen and ESSU President Dr. Andres Pagatpatan, with backing from the Provincial Government of Eastern Samar led by Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone.
The partnership builds on earlier efforts initiated in 2025 during the administration of former governor Ben P. Evardone, and was facilitated by Glenda Dulfo, a Borongan City native who helped connect ESSU with international partners.
Under the program, selected students will undergo preparation before deployment, including skills enhancement and orientation, before being sent abroad for on-site training. The initiative aims to expose students to modern agricultural practices, improve technical competencies, and provide international work experience—key factors in enhancing employability.
Governor Evardone said the initiative reflects the province’s commitment to expanding opportunities for Estehanon youth, noting that the program allows students to earn while gaining global skills.
“This is not just about training—it is about giving our students a chance to compete on the global stage and uplift their families,” he said.
University officials added that the partnership strengthens ESSU’s push for internationalization while contributing to workforce development in Eastern Samar by producing graduates equipped with globally competitive skills.
An open forum capped the signing ceremony, where students raised questions about qualifications, application procedures, and deployment timelines, which were addressed by representatives from Bixter Academy.
