ORMOC CITY– A newly identified drug peddler was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by the local police in Isabel, Leyte at around 3:03 pm on Tuesday, December 3, along the national highway in Barangay Libertad of said town.
Recovered from the suspect, identified as alias “Cris,” was one sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, purchased by an operative for P500.
During a body search conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, authorities seized eight additional sachets of suspected shabu and a P500 bill used as marked money for the operation, town police chief, Major Luis Hatton.
The suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and his constitutional rights were explained through the Miranda Doctrine in a language he understood.
Charges for violations of Section 5 (selling illegal drugs) and Section 11 (possession of illegal drugs) under Article II of RA 9165 or the anti-drug law have been filed at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Ormoc City.
The suspect is currently detained at the Isabel Municipal Police Station lock-up facility. (ROBERT DEJON)
KEITECH IMPACT. The EDC- run Keitech Educational Foundation has been seen not only provide free education to less privileged youths but also helped in poverty reduction. (EDC)
KANANGA, Leyte – Poverty remains a persistent issue in Leyte, with a 29.2% poverty incidence, higher than the regional average of 28.9%.
KEITECH IMPACT. The EDC- run Keitech Educational Foundation has been seen not only provide free education to less privileged youths but also helped in poverty reduction. (EDC)
Natural disasters like Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in 2013 have worsened the situation, pushing poverty rates to 54.9% in Eastern Visayas.
However, Leyte is also home to a valuable resource: the largest geothermal wet steam field, harnessed by the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) for clean, renewable power.
Recognizing the economic challenges, EDC established the Keitech Educational Foundation in 2009 to offer technical-vocational training to underprivileged youth. With unemployment at 15%, and only 25% of high school graduates affording college, Keitech provides students with training in fields like construction, engineering, and tourism.
Erwin Magallanes, Keitech administrator, said, “Their skills will get them hired, but their self-discipline and good work attitude will keep them in their jobs and even get them promoted.”
This holistic approach has led to a 100% passing rate in TESDA certification exams and over 90% employment for Keitech’s 1,200+ graduates.
This year, Keitech celebrates its 15th anniversary with 90 trainees graduating from Batch 2024.
They will receive certificates in fields like construction, hospitality, and welding, as well as additional certifications in safety, leadership, and martial arts.
The theme, “Builders of Tomorrow: Skilled, Disciplined, and Ready to Lead,” reflects Keitech’s commitment to empowering students to contribute to nation-building.
EDC’s vision ties renewable energy with community development, and Keitech embodies this approach. As the graduates prepare to enter the workforce, they carry not only technical expertise but the potential to lead their communities toward progress.
TACLOBAN CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Eastern Visayas conducted a regionwide orientation on Monday, Dec. 2, to familiarize voters and election personnel with the use of automated counting machines (ACMs) for the 2025 midterm elections.
The simultaneous activity, organized by the Comelec regional office, was deemed successful, with only minor issues reported during the demonstrations.
Jenette Fariola-Ruedas, Comelec regional information officer, noted that a few errors in ballot reading occurred during the mock voting but were resolved promptly.
“The ACMs just needed cleaning to ensure accurate ballot reading,” she explained.
The event aimed to educate both election staff and voters on the proper use of ACMs.
“This is essentially an orientation on the ACMs, highlighting their features while giving voters hands-on experience in preparation for the 2025 elections,” Fariola-Ruedas said.
At the Comelec regional office, over 30 participants joined the mock elections, simulating the voting process with the new machines.
The orientation program will continue until next month, with Comelec personnel visiting barangays to extend the campaign.
Eastern Visayas will require 5,777 ACMs, including backup units, for the 2025 polls.
The machines boast several advanced features, including the use of thinner paper, optical mark recognition (OMR) technology for ballot reading, direct recording electronic (DRE) technology with touch-screen interfaces, and voter receipts equipped with QR codes that can be scanned by the machine’s built-in camera.
Comelec officials in the region are optimistic that the orientation campaign will enhance voter confidence and ensure a smoother election process, particularly in Eastern Visayas. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
GAWAD KALASAG. About 87 local government units were recognized by the Department of Interior and Local Government’s Gawad Kalasag Award for their disaster preparedness, resilience, and community safety. The awarding was held on Dec.28 in Tacloban City. (PHOTO COURTESY)
Northern Samar leads
GAWAD KALASAG. About 87 local government units were recognized by the Department of Interior and Local Government’s Gawad Kalasag Award for their disaster preparedness, resilience, and community safety. The awarding was held on Dec.28 in Tacloban City. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – About 87 local government units in Eastern Visayas were bestowed the ‘Gawad Kalasag’ award from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The Gawad Kalasag (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) is a performance-based assessment designed to encourage and reward innovations to local government units in disaster preparedness, resilience, and community safety.
The number of awardees, held on Monday, Dec.2, at the People’s Center, this city, represents a substantial increase from 31 in 2023, with 17 LGUs attaining the prestigious “Beyond Compliant” status.
Based on the guidelines, Beyond Compliant LGUs are those that get an assessment rating of 2.5 to 3 while Fully Compliant LGUs are those that receive a rating of 1.5 to 2.49.
DILG Region 8 Regional Director Arnel Agabe emphasized the importance of sustaining the momentum of disaster preparedness efforts.
“The award you receive today is not the culmination but the continuation of our journey towards resilience. Let us sustain and improve our disaster preparedness efforts to mitigate the impacts of calamities, aiming always for zero casualties,” he said.
Agabe also commended the proactive measures taken by LGUs during Super Typhoon ‘Pepito’, which resulted in zero casualties despite its severe effects in Eastern Samar and Northern Samar provinces.
“To our mayors and LGUs who went the extra mile to ensure their communities’ safety, you are our unsung heroes,” he added.
Northern Samar emerged as a standout province, with over 60% of its municipalities receiving recognition for excellence in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
LGUs from Palapag, Catarman, and Lope De Vega were among those achieving “Beyond Compliant” ratings, while others, including Mapanas, Laoang, and Mondragon, earned “Fully Compliant” ratings.
Joe Louis Gajutos, president of the DRRM Officers League in Northern Samar (DRAGONS), urged a shift from compliance to meaningful disaster governance.
“We can never rest on this paper laurel. Our people live on the front lines of climate change impacts, facing a cycle of recovery and rehabilitation amidst destruction. We must work quadruple times harder to build resilient communities,” he stressed.
Gajutos also commended the provincial government of Northern Samar for prioritizing risk-informed development plans, saying, “This strategic pivot to disaster governance and nature-based solutions is a leap forward for comprehensive resilience.”
OCD Region 8 Director Lord Byron Torrecarion highlighted the region’s unique challenges and its progress.
“Eastern Visayas’ geographic vulnerabilities put it at high risk, yet this year, we’ve achieved a 181% increase in awardees. This shows that with effort and determination, nothing is impossible,” Torrecarion said.
TACLOBAN CITY – The House of Representatives, led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, declared its unwavering support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., calling him a “symbol of the nation’s sovereignty.”
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez
The legislators vowed to protect the government from destabilization attempts and uphold the Chief Executive’s leadership.
During a Christmas fellowship at Malacañang on Thursday, Dec.5, lawmakers presented a manifesto of support to the President.
The document condemned threats to President Marcos’ life and calls for mobilization against his administration, urging unity in defending democracy and ensuring national stability.
“Any threat against the President is a threat against the Republic,” the manifesto stated, emphasizing the President’s role as the embodiment of the people’s will and the nation’s unity.
The manifesto outlined five key commitments: defending the President’s mandate and administration stability; upholding the rule of law and condemning destabilization efforts; protecting the nation from internal and external threats; strengthening legislative unity for national progress; and ensuring the fulfillment of the President’s mandate for sustainable development and reform.
Speaker Romualdez and other House leaders also presented House Resolution No. 277, which expressed solidarity with the President and condemned acts undermining democratic governance and trust in public institutions.
“We, the Members of the House of Representatives, solemnly affirm our collective strength lies in unity, fidelity to democratic principles, and unwavering commitment to serve the Filipino people,” the lawmakers declared.
The House pledged to work alongside President Marcos to address pressing national concerns, protect the nation’s sovereignty, and support his vision for a Bagong Pilipinas. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
TACLOBAN CITY – Some alleged rebels of the New People’s Army were killed during an encounter in Las Navas, Northern Samar, the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, reported.
The casualties included Ariel Baselga, known by aliases Aries or Polly; Renar Diaz alias Beloy or Monmon; Rey Tafalla alias Bunso; James Arandia alias Taying; Maricar Asinas, alias Ikar; and alias Kagid, all identified by their former comrades.
All were said to be leaders of the sub-regional committee (SRC) Emporium under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) who were among the six NPA rebels killed in an encounter on December 2, 2024, in the hinterlands of Barangay Paco, Las Navas, the division said.
Baselga served as the secretary of SRC Emporium and was said to have directed the operations of their group, enforced the orders of the EVRPC, and authorized tactical offensives in Northern Samar.
Diaz served as the vice-commander of the sub-regional operations command for SRC Emporium. He was responsible for planning and supervising the tactical operations of the armed group under SRC Emporium.
The group were notorious for numerous atrocities in Northern Samar, including extortion, killing of innocent civilians, and terrorizing communities, the 8th ID said.
The Joint Task Force Storm and the 8th Infantry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio extended his deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the encounter while reiterating the Army’s commitment to upholding dignity and respect, even for adversaries.
“It is saddening to see fellow Filipinos deceived by the false ideologies of communist terrorists meet such a tragic end. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to their bereaved families,” Maj. Gen. Orio said in a statement.
“While they were our enemies, we honor their humanity by providing them with a proper and dignified burial. However, this outcome could have been avoided if they had chosen to lay down their arms and surrender,” he added.
The encounter also led to the recovery of four firearms, grenade, assorted ammunition, cell phones, and subversive documents, seized by soldiers from the 19th IB. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
