ORMOC CITY— A visiting rice trader was arrested by local police for possession of an unlicensed firearm at around 3 pm on Sunday, November 3, in Barangay Magaan, Zumarraga, Samar.
The suspect, identified by police as “Jojo,” 57, married, and a resident of Calbiga, Samar, is a rice retailer.
According to the local police, they received a tip from a concerned citizen via phone regarding an individual reportedly carrying an unidentified firearm. Acting on the information, the police proceeded to the location to investigate.
During their investigation, the responding officers found the suspect in possession of a .45 caliber pistol with one magazine loaded with six rounds of ammunition. When asked to present legal documents for carrying the firearm, the suspect failed to produce any, leading to his arrest.
The suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he understood, in accordance with the Miranda Doctrine.
The suspect, along with the confiscated firearm, was brought to the Zumarraga Municipal Police Station for proper documentation.
Charges for violation of Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, have been filed with the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against the suspect who remains temporarily detained at the Zumarraga municipal police station.
YOLANDA.Romil Navidad offers prayers and lights a candle at the gravesite of his daughter, Rimel, one of the 2,200 individuals interred at the mass grave in Brgy. Basper who perished during the onslaught of Yolanda 11 years ago. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez urged the public to never forget the lessons of Yolanda. (JAG)
Never to be forgotten
YOLANDA.Romil Navidad offers prayers and lights a candle at the gravesite of his daughter, Rimel, one of the 2,200 individuals interred at the mass grave in Brgy. Basper who perished during the onslaught of Yolanda 11 years ago. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez urged the public to never forget the lessons of Yolanda. (JAG)
TACLOBAN CITY — As with past commemorations of the devastation caused by Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (international name:Haiyan), Romil Navidad faithfully visits the grave of his daughter, Rimel, who was among the 2,200 individuals interred at the mass grave in Barangay Basper, this city.
On Friday, Nov. 8, marking the 11th year since Yolanda leveled Tacloban, the 49-year-old father continued to grieve for the loss of his only child, who was 10 years old at that time.
“She was with her mother when they clung desperately to a coconut tree as the storm surge hit,” Navidad recalled. “The surge tore them apart. My wife survived, but our daughter did not.”
At the time of the tragedy, the family lived in Sitio Alimasag, Barangay 88, in the San Jose district—the hardest-hit area in Tacloban.
Navidad expressed guilt over not being able to save his daughter, though he managed to rescue a pregnant woman from drowning.
“But I have learned to accept my fate,” he said, standing solemnly at Rimel’s grave with a lit candle and a bottle of soft drink, a traditional offering.
Today, Navidad lives alone in a housing project built by a private organization. His wife left him in 2019, adding another layer of heartache to his story.
During the commemoration, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, along with relatives of the victims, government officials, and local residents, gathered to honor those who perished.
“Some ask if we will still commemorate this tragedy 15 or 20 years from now. My answer is yes,” Romualdez declared. “We do this to ensure that future generations never forget the lessons of Yolanda.”
Romualdez emphasized that these lessons are even more relevant today, as the country faces increasingly frequent and intense natural disasters, particularly typhoons.
“Our focus must be on preparedness,” he said. “When we’re ready for stronger and deadlier storms, we can help the government save on rescue and rehabilitation costs.”
The mayor also urged people to heed warnings about living in danger zones prone to flooding or landslides.
Just last month, the Philippines endured successive severe typhoons, Leon and Kristine, which caused over P11 billion in damage and claimed 150 lives as of Nov. 1. Both typhoons spared Eastern Visayas.
Other local government units in Eastern Visayas, including Palo and Tanauan in Leyte and Guiuan in Eastern Samar, held their own commemorative programs.
Even Maasin City in Southern Leyte, which was spared from Yolanda’s wrath, suspended classes to honor the victims of the massive disaster.
UNCONTESTED POSTS. The Commission on Elections has disclosed that about 66 candidates running in next year’s elections are just waiting for their proclamations as they are running unopposed. (PHOTO COURTESY)
Running unopposed
UNCONTESTED POSTS. The Commission on Elections has disclosed that about 66 candidates running in next year’s elections are just waiting for their proclamations as they are running unopposed. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY — Out of 2,390 candidates running in the 2025 general elections in Eastern Visayas, 66 are set to win unopposed, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the region.
Lawyer Maria Corazon Montallana, assistant regional director of Comelec Eastern Visayas, announced on Tuesday, November 5, that most of these unopposed candidates are running for mayor and vice mayor positions.
In addition to these local posts, one governor in Samar, three vice governors (in Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte), and two congressmen in Samar are guaranteed another term, given the absence of challengers.
Montallana noted that while the presence of rivals in an election gives voters more options, the lack of competition may reflect constituents’ satisfaction with their current officials.
“These candidates may be unopposed because their constituents see the impact of their projects and services,” she explained during the weekly ‘Harampang ha PIA” on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
“However, having opposing candidates is very healthy as it provides voters with choices.”
She also clarified that unopposed candidates need just a single vote to be officially declared winners. “Without at least one vote, there would be no basis to declare a winner,” Montallana said.
Records from Comelec show that Samar has the highest number of unopposed candidates, led by reelectionist Governor Sharee Ann Tan and her siblings, Representatives Stephen James Tan and Reynolds Michael Tan.
Nine mayors and 11 vice mayors in the province are also running without opponents. Notable unopposed vice-mayoral candidates include Rex Daguman and Coefredo Uy of Calbayog and Catbalogan cities.
In Leyte, 12 candidates are unopposed, including incumbent Vice Governor Leonardo Javier, alongside five mayors and six vice mayors.
In Northern Samar, six mayors and five vice mayors are certain to retain their posts.
Biliran has nine unopposed candidates, led by vice-gubernatorial candidate Roselyn Espina, as well as four mayors and their respective vice mayors.
Southern Leyte sees two mayors and five vice mayors running unchallenged, with incumbent Vice Governor Rosa Emilia Mercado set to retain her position.
In Eastern Samar, one mayor and two vice mayors are also running without opposition. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
PALOMPON, Leyte – Approximately 200 organic agriculture practitioners, advocates, and agricultural extension workers gathered today, November 6, at the Palompon Convention Center in Palompon, Leyte, for the Regional Organic Agriculture Congress (ROAC). This year’s event is themed “Kabuhayang OA, Kinabukasang OK – PGS Pinalakas para sa Bagong Pilipinas.”
The congress, organized in collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Palompon and the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 8, aims to equip participants and stakeholders with the latest updates, information, and promotional insights on organic agriculture.
The event also provides a platform to showcase success stories in enterprise management, farm production, and processing, while gathering concerns and suggestions from participants for possible policy resolutions.
Palompon Municipal Mayor Ferdinand dela Calzada welcomed attendees, expressing hope that the congress would offer valuable insights for farmers seeking to advance the agricultural sector.
Field Operations Chief Rodel G. Macapanas, representing Regional Executive Director Andrew Rodolfo T. Orais, and Rodolfo Cortez of the National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB), delivered messages highlighting support and developments in the region’s organic agriculture.
A trade fair and exhibit allowed farmers to showcase their organic products and farm produce, fostering community engagement and market linkages.
Key highlights of the opening program included the awarding of the PGS Organic Certification to the Cagsumje-Canipulan-Solsogon Farmers Association (CCSFA) of Sta. Margarita, Samar, and recognition of youth interns under the Youth Internship Program on Organic Agriculture. Region 8 was commended for having the highest number of enrollees nationwide.
The congress will continue tomorrow with additional activities to celebrate Organic Agriculture Month this November, including lectures on food recipes using organic ingredients, food safety, organic farming practices, consumer awareness, and market linkages.(PR)
CASH ASSISTANCE. Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone lead in the distribution of TUPAD cash assistance to 2,716 beneficiaries of the program.
(EASTERN SAMAR PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
CASH ASSISTANCE. Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone lead in the distribution of TUPAD cash assistance to 2,716 beneficiaries of the program. (EASTERN SAMAR PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY – A total of 2,716 disadvantaged and displaced workers from Eastern Samar received financial assistance through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program in a payout ceremony held on October 30 in Borongan City.
The beneficiaries included members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) from San Julian and various women’s organizations from Borongan City. Each received P4,050 in cash assistance.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Eastern Samar Field Office facilitated the payout in cooperation with the provincial government, represented by Governor Ben Evardone, and funded by the Office of the President through House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Gov.Evardone, along with provincial officials including Governor Maricar Sison-Goteesan, Board Member RV Evardone, Vice Board Member Annabelle Capito, Board Member Byron Suyot, Board Member Jun Quelitano, and labor and employment officer Philip John Eynard Pinarok, attended the event.
“Iton TUPAD talaga in para makabulig kita hit aton mga igkasi Estehanon. Yana, sana magamit niyo iton makakarawat yana, magamit hin maupay ha iyo pagkaon, garamitan hit mga estudyante, pakabuhi ha iyo asosasyon,” the governor said.
He added that he hopes the assistance, though modest, will aid the beneficiaries.
“Kun ano it makaka-upay ha iyo, hit iyo organisasyon, gamita it niyo hin maupay. Kunta ini nga guti nga bulig, makabulig unta ha iyo. Hi kamo an akon napili pagrekognisar hit iyo pakabuhi para hit iyo tagsa-tagsa nga pamilya,” he said.
Evardone also pledged to allocate a livelihood fund for various organizations, to be facilitated by DOLE.
HERO’S WELCOME. Police Regional Director B/Gen. Jay Cumigad welcomed the returning police personnel who were deployed to Bicol Region to help in disaster response. Among those who welcomed the returning heroes on Nov. were Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez and his wife, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez. (PRO-8)
HERO’S WELCOME. Police Regional Director B/Gen. Jay Cumigad welcomed the returning police personnel who were deployed to Bicol Region to help in disaster response. Among those who welcomed the returning heroes on Nov. were Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez and his wife, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez. (PRO-8)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), led by Regional Director B/Gen. Jay Cumigad, held a heroes’ welcome ceremony on Monday, November 4, to honor the Region 8 Disaster Response Deployment Contingents who returned from Bicol after their relief mission following Tropical Storm “Kristine.”
The ceremony, held at the PRO-8 gymnasium, recognized the personnel’s dedicated service in aiding Bicol residents during the crisis.
Cumigad expressed his gratitude for the team’s successful mission, emphasizing the importance of unity and compassion in serving Filipinos during times of need.
“Your unwavering support in the ‘Otso Para Sa Singko’ rescue and relief efforts in the Bicol Region has been truly inspiring. You went above and beyond the call of duty in aiding typhoon-stricken communities,” he stated, acknowledging the collective efforts of the public and all partner agencies in making the mission a success.
Tropical Storm “Kristine,” which hit the Philippines on October 22, brought severe flooding and widespread devastation to the Bicol region.
In response, PRO-8 organized an emergency send-off on October 24, deploying personnel from multiple agencies, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), Regional Maritime Unit 8, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 8.
This inter-agency team worked tirelessly to maintain law and order, ensure public safety, and provide essential humanitarian assistance in the hardest-hit areas. Their efforts included rescue operations, relief distribution, and peacekeeping to support community recovery.
To further aid the relief efforts, PRO-8 activated the PNP Help and Food Bank, initially donating P100, 000 to support affected families in the Bicol region. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
