ORMOC CITY-A woman was arrested for illegal gambling at around 3:45 pm on November 7, inside her home in Barangay San Isidro, this municipality.

The accused, identified by authorities as “Wendy,” 46, married, and self-employed, is a resident of Barangay Busali.

Local police, along with operatives from the CIDG Biliran Provincial Field Unit, carried out the arrest based on a Warrant of Arrest dated November 6, 2024.

The warrant was issued by Judge Ateneones S. Bacale, Presiding Judge of the MCTC, Cabucgayan, Biliran, for a violation of Presidential Decree No. 1602, which prescribes stiffer penalties for illegal gambling. Bail was set at P10,000 for her temporary release.

Following her arrest, the accused was brought to the Biliran Municipal Police Station for processing and appropriate documentation before being turned over to the court that issued the warrant.
(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY-Local police, in coordination with personnel from the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Biliran Provincial Police Office, arrested a farmer following the issuance of a warrant of arrest.

The operation took place at approximately 8:45 pm on Thursday, November 7, in Barangay Viga, this island municipality.

The suspect, identified as “John,” 49, married, and a resident of Barangay Viga, was apprehended by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest dated November 6, 2024.

The warrant was issued by Judge Luz Petilla Navarette, executive judge of RTC Branch 16, Eighth Judicial Region, Naval, Biliran, for the charge of Statutory Rape. No bail was recommended for the accused’s temporary release.

The suspect was informed of the nature of the charges and advised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.

He was then transported to Maripipi Municipal Police Station for documentation and processing before being turned over to the court that issued the warrant.
(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — A new multipurpose center will soon be built in Barangay 88, San Jose, this city, as part of a Kalahi-CIDSS (Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay-Community-Driven Development) subproject.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 7, 2024, with the barangay officials and community volunteers present.

This project addresses the community’s need for a proper facility to continue providing essential services.

The Kalahi-CIDSS Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach allowed the community to identify and prioritize their needs.

Valued at P20 million, the project includes a local counterpart contribution of P105,000 from the barangay. The project will benefit 898 households in the area.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY– The Samar POP (SPOP) Music Festival recognized its winners during the fifth-year competition held at the capitol grounds in Catbalogan City.

James Timan from Calbayog City emerged as the champion in the SPOP Aňo 5 contemporary category with his composition ‘Kawil’, defeating nine other contenders from the province of Samar.

According to Timan, Kawil reflects his personal struggles and insecurities, expressing his pursuit of dreams and aspirations. The song also conveys a message of hope and light, emphasizing the importance of sharing one’s dreams with someone who inspires you.
For his victory, Timan received a cash prize of P100,000 and a trophy. He also won three minor awards: best in lyrics, best in musical arrangement, and best music video, earning an additional P15,000 in cash.

“Salamat Ginoo nga nabug’os ini nga SPOP. Salamat sa SPOP nga paghimu sini nga event para mabuligan an mga composer, mga local artists sa Samar,” Timan said in his acceptance speech. He also thanked his wife and child for inspiring him to write songs.
In second place was Kadaugan by Gus Plamenco, Mark Paul Alcala, and Mando De Leon, who won P75,000 and a trophy. The third-place winner was Metyorayt by Lucris Ebalde, earning P50,000 and a trophy.

Yssa Romano, last year’s best interpreter awardee, also took home this year’s best interpreter award for her performance of Kay ‘Ano Daw La?’, winning P5,000.

The audience choice award went to ‘Daw Sugad Hin Uran’ by Elmer Del Monte, Jyce Genotiva, and Jhoanne Leanda, who also received P5,000.

SPOP is an annual songwriting and music festival organized by the provincial government of Samar through the Samar Provincial Tourism Office, with the help of songwriter Lucien Letaba. The event aims to provide a platform for local talents to showcase their passion for music and songwriting.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY-The local fire bureau is currently conducting a thorough investigation after the home of a tuba gatherer was reduced to ashes in a fire that broke out around 10:10 am on Saturday, November 2, in Barangay Domogdog, Barugo, Leyte.

Fire investigator SFO2 Fatima Potencia identified the homeowner as “Gadon,” 51, married, and a tuba gatherer residing in the said area.

According to SFO2 Potencia, an investigation based on the homeowner’s testimony revealed that Gadon had left the house at around 9 am to visit another barangay, leaving the residence unoccupied and with no electrical devices plugged in. Upon his return, he found the house already engulfed in flames.

SFO2 Potencia further reported that a bystander claimed to have heard a loud blast from within the house, which may have originated from the electrical wiring.

The Barugo Bureau of Fire Protection declared the fire under control at 10:30 am the same day, with no injuries or casualties reported.

The estimated damage caused by the fire is valued at approximately P30,000.
SFO2 Potencia noted that further investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire.

(ROBERT DEJON)