TACLOBAN CITY – The recent discovery of firearms hidden by the New People’s Army (NPA) across various areas in Samar and Leyte is expected to further weaken the diminishing forces of insurgents, marking a significant step toward resolving the region’s insurgency problem.

Last week, a series of operations led to the recovery of numerous firearms and ammunition in different locations across Eastern Samar, Samar, and Leyte provinces.

These operations included discoveries on September 2 in Abuyog town, Leyte;September 4 in Brgy. Laurel, General Macarthur, Eastern Samar and on Sep.7 ; and September 5 in Basey, Samar.

According to Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, the success of these operations is largely attributed to the effective implementation of Projects APOY and LEVOX, two initiatives that involve former NPA members who have reintegrated into society.

“The involvement of former rebels has significantly weakened the NPA’s capabilities in Samar and Leyte. We expect more discoveries in the coming days as the people and former NPA members are fully cooperating with our peace efforts,” Vestuir said.

He emphasized that the trust built between former rebels, local communities, and government forces has been crucial in securing these recent victories.

Vestuir also expressed optimism about the possibility of uncovering more hidden firearms and ammunition, as more former insurgents and local residents actively engage in the government’s peace initiatives.

He urged the remaining NPA members to surrender, reassuring them that their families and communities are ready to welcome them back.

“The government is sincere in helping you choose the path of peace,” Vestuir added.

He noted that these recent discoveries represent a significant blow to the NPA’s operational capacity in Eastern Visayas, further limiting their ability to continue insurgent activities and paving the way for lasting peace and development in the region.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

3rd town in S. Leyte to be declared

TACLOBAN CITY – The town of Padre Burgos in Southern Leyte has been officially declared as having a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC), commonly known as “insurgency-free” status, adding to the growing list of local government units in the region that have achieved this dAesignation.

The SIPSC declaration for Padre Burgos was made on September 4, during a ceremony attended by key municipal officials, including Mayor Hermenegildo Culpa, who also chairs the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC).

Other municipal and barangay officials, as well as members of the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC), were present.

Military and police officials who attended the event included Colonel Rico Amaro, deputy brigade commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade; Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Gabia, commanding officer of the 14th Infantry (Avenger) Battalion; Police Lieutenant Colonel Sam Andarino; and Police Lieutenant Virgilio Jayma, team leader of the Southern Leyte Police Mobile Force Company.

Padre Burgos, home to more than 10,500 people, joins the towns of Bontoc, Malitbog, and Macrohon in Southern Leyte, which have also been declared insurgency-free.

In his speech, Mayor Culpa expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to achieving peace in Padre Burgos.

He emphasized that the SIPSC declaration paves the way for further development and an improved quality of life for the town’s residents.

“This recognition will also boost our tourism industry,” Culpa said, noting that Padre Burgos is a popular destination for divers.

The town is home to three Department of Tourism-accredited diving resorts and serves as the gateway to Limasawa Island, where the first Easter Mass in Asia was held in March 1521.

Col.Amaro praised local officials for their dedication to maintaining peace in the municipality.

“Today, we send a message to the nation that Padre Burgos is in a stable internal peace and security condition. We stand united with all sectors in ensuring the needs of our citizens are met, and we urge everyone to resist any groups or individuals that may incite terrorism or criminality,” he said.

The declaration ceremony included the signing of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and pledges of cmmitment, as well as the symbolic release of white doves, representing peace and a new beginning for the community.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

MANILA-The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines will open a new Visa Application Center (VAC), launch an updated visa appointment system, and expand call center services to U.S. citizens in the Philippines starting on September 28.

The new VAC will be located at Parqal Building 8, Level 3, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.

Immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants seeking interview appointments starting September 28 will be required to schedule a separate appointment at the VAC for photo capture and fingerprint scanning prior to their interview at the U.S. Embassy on Roxas Boulevard. Scheduling will be done through the new and redesigned online appointment system.

Applicants who have scheduled a visa interview before September 28 will not be affected by this change and should proceed directly to their appointment at the Embassy.

The new online appointment system will feature a secure and user-friendly interface for visa applicants and will be available on September 28 on ustraveldocs.com/ph. Applicants who have existing accounts in the current visa appointment system will be required to sign in to the new system using their already-registered email address to retrieve their user profile, which includes payment receipts and appointment information.

The VAC will offer appointment slots from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays. No appointment is needed for applicants who would like to pick up their passports or drop off interview waiver visa applications and other required documents from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Additionally, the U.S. Embassy will launch a call center for customers with general, non-emergency American Citizen Services (ACS) inquiries.

U.S. citizens can call consular hotlines at (+632) 7792-8988 or (+632) 8548-8223, or (703) 520-2235 for callers in the United States, with passport, citizenship, and notarial service questions.

The U.S. Embassy will also launch a new and dedicated website (ustraveldocs.com/ph/en/american-citizens-services) and email (support-acs-philippines@usvisascheduling.com) for these ACS services on September 28.
Inquiries not related to passport, citizenship, or notarials should still be sent to the embassy’s ACS unit directly via ACSInfoManila@state.gov. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – Dengue fever cases in Eastern Visayas have surged, with the Department of Health (DOH) reporting a 297% increase over the past eight months compared to the same period last year.

The DOH also confirmed 22 deaths due to dengue fever from January 1 to August 31, significantly higher than the nine deaths recorded during the same period last year.

In response, the health office has renewed its call for the public and local government units to intensify cleanup drives to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, which are the primary cause of dengue fever.

“We are urging hospitals and all health facilities to establish dengue fast lanes, ensure adequate healthcare providers, and maintain sufficient dengue commodities and medicines to deliver prompt services,” the DOH stated in an advisory issued on Thursday, September 5.

From January 1 to August 31 this year, the region has recorded 10,807 dengue fever cases, a sharp rise from the 2,723 cases during the same period last year—a 297% increase.

Of these patients, 22 have died, more than double the number of fatalities last year, which stood at nine.

The province of Samar reported the highest number of dengue-related deaths, with 11 fatalities, followed by Leyte with five, Eastern Samar with three, Northern Samar with two, and Southern Leyte with one.

Leyte province, including its capital city Tacloban, recorded the most dengue cases, with 4,633, followed by Samar with 2,832 cases.

Southern Leyte reported 1,643 cases, Eastern Samar 893, Northern Samar 576, and Biliran 230 cases.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)