ORMOC CITY– A farmer is recovering from injuries after being hacked without provocation by a fellow farmer on the evening of February 6 in Barangay Cabulaloan, Laoang, Northern Samar.

The victim, identified only as alias “Joe”, was walking along the street at around 8 pm when the suspect, alias “Lito,” 31, suddenly confronted him.

Armed with a bladed weapon, the suspect struck the victim on the forehead without any apparent reason.

Concerned residents immediately rushed the victim to Catubig District Hospital for medical treatment, while responding officers from the Laoang Municipal Police Station (MPS) apprehended the suspect.

The weapon used in the attack was confiscated and brought to the police station for proper documentation.

The suspect is currently detained at the Laoang MPS lock-up facility, and charges of attempted homicide were filed against him.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – About 74 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and their supporters received a total of P3.44 million in financial assistance from the provincial government of Samar in a turnover ceremony held in Catbalogan City.

The aid was distributed among 37 former NPA members, 17 members of the milisyang bayan, and 20 mass supporters. Former regular NPA members received a total of P3.15 million, while P270,000 was given to the milisyang bayan members, and P20,000 to the mass supporters.

The assistance package includes transition support, livelihood aid, and firearm remuneration to help the recipients start anew and reintegrate into mainstream society.
Beneficiaries came from various municipalities across Samar, including Basey, Calbiga, Hinabangan, Jiabong, Matuguinao, Motiong, Marabut, Pinabacdao, Paranas, San Jorge, and Villareal, as well as Dolores in Eastern Samar and Las Navas in Northern Samar.

The distribution was led by Governor Sharee Ann Tan, with support from 801st Deputy Brigade Commander Col. Carmelito Pangatunan and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Judy Batulan.

In her speech, Gov. Tan underscored the program’s significance in helping former rebels rebuild their lives and reintegrate into their communities. She also thanked them for choosing the path of peace and cooperating with the government.

Expressing their gratitude, the former rebels acknowledged the provincial government’s assistance as a symbol of hope and a fresh start.

They also commended the 801st Brigade of the Philippine Army for its dedication to maintaining peace and for helping them transition into a lawful and productive life.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City—The Philippine Army (PA) and the Megaworld Corporation formalized the “PA-Megaworld “Pag-Alab” Program Partnership aimed at igniting Filipino nationalism and patriotism, volunteerism, and social responsibility towards a united, resilient, and developed nation, in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing at the Alliance Tower, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, on January 22, 2025.

“The Philippine Army believes that peace and development are two sides of the same coin. We believe that for our nation to thrive, both must go hand in hand. As part of this commitment, we engage with the private sectors such as Megaworld to promote nationalism, unity, and patriotism. We believe your media platforms can significantly contribute to shaping the nation in attaining national resiliency which is good for business and investments,” the Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido said during the MOU signing.

“We look forward to working with Megaworld to inform, educate, and inspire our citizens—working hand in hand to build a better, stronger future for the Philippines,” he added.
Megaworld Corporation President, Ms. Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso who signed the agreement on behalf of the company, thanked the Philippine Army for supporting the company’s environmental and sustainability initiatives. The Megaworld President also lauded the Army’s commitment to assisting their nation-building programs which align with the Army’s dedication not only to national security but also to environmental stewardship and community development.

“We will ensure that the messages and information products of the Philippine Army about love for country and patriotism will become prominent in all of Megaworld’s townships, lifestyle cinemas, LED Walls, and other available platforms,” the Megaworld President, said.
It can be noted that Megaworld currently has 20 lifestyle malls in key urban centers across the country. It also develops large-scale, mixed-use, planned communities incorporating residential, commercial, educational, and leisure components and is the biggest township developer in the country.

Lt. Gen. Galido expressed his gratitude to Megaworld for the opportunity to enter into a collaborative partnership with the Army. Beyond the public affairs program partnership, several partnership opportunities were also tackled such as Army base and estate development, and employment for retiring Army personnel.(PR)

TACLOBAN CITY– Twenty-one disaster-stricken homeowners from Leyte and Tacloban recently received cash relief assistance from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Regional Office VIII.

As highlight of their 6th year anniversary, DHSUD VIII distributed P210,000 worth of cash assistance under the agency’s Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP).
This is a one-time, unconditional cash assistance of P30,000 provided to families whose houses are totally damaged; while, P10,000 given to those with partially-damaged shelters due to calamity, either man-made or natural.

Grateful beneficiaries said the assistance will help them go through recovery and rehabilitation and build back a sense of normalcy and stability in their lives after disaster.
All the beneficiaries in the recent distribution were affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Kristine in October which caused widespread damage leaving thousands of families from different provinces in the country with destroyed homes.

Under this emergency assistance program, DHSUD extends shelter assistance to beneficiaries whose houses are damaged or destroyed by disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, landslides, and fires.

DHSUD VIII Regional Director Michael Victor Tezon said during the Kapihan sa PIA that DHSUD ensures to stay at the frontline of disaster response both at national and local levels and to immediately aid families to rebuild their homes.

“When others help are in the form of food assistance or clothing, with DHSUD we would like to assist those disaster-affected to rebuild homes, as it is really hard to lose homes that provide safe shelter for their families,” Tezon said.

He added that the program will further develop into providing beneficiaries with actual building materials such as GI Sheets, plyboards and others and not just cash assistance.
Launched in February 2024, the IDSAP has already distributed P2.44 million cash assistance to 155 beneficiaries in Eastern Visayas who were affected by fires and Typhoons Aghon, Enteng and Kristine in 2024.

(AHLETTE C. REYES/PIA-8)