ORMOC CITY– Government troopers recovered two firearms during their military operations against members of the New People’s Army in Northern Samar.

On Wednesday, November 12, troops from the 20th Infantry Battalion under the 803rd Infantry Brigade, engaged six rebel members of the Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit (SRGU) operating under the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Arctic of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).

The encounter occurred in a remote area of Barangay Manering, Catubig, Northern Samar.
The 15-minute firefight led to the seizure of one Bushmaster M4 rifle, one M16 rifle, and various war materials and personal belongings.

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Villaflor, commanding officer of the 20IB, attributed the operation’s success to the support of the local community.

“Our troops remain steadfast in maintaining peace and security in Catubig, Northern Samar. This achievement underscores the vital role of community cooperation in combating insurgency,” he said in a statement.

He added, “We thank the public for their trust and timely support. Let us continue working together to achieve lasting peace and development in Northern Samar.”

Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, the commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, lauded the troops for their consistent efforts to weaken the CTG through sustained combat operations.

“Our continued successes have disrupted the morale of the remaining CTG members and caused internal discord within their ranks,” he said.

Orio urged the remaining rebel members to surrender, emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting those who choose to reintegrate into society.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY— The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office is intensifying dredging operations in key waterways across Samar and Leyte to reduce the risk of flooding during the rainy season.

These ongoing efforts by DPWH regional office aim to address the persistent threat of flooding in Eastern Visayas, ensuring safer and more resilient communities during adverse weather conditions

According to reports from the DPWH RO8 Equipment Management Division (EMD), multiple amphibious excavators have been deployed to address siltation in various major rivers and creeks.

DPWH Regional Director Edgar Tabacon emphasized the importance of these operations in preventing rivers from overflowing.

“With the weather conditions here in our region, these dredging operations are crucial to mitigating flooding, especially during the rainy season,” he said.

This include the Maroyondoyon and Kaglangkoy Creek in Catarman, Northern Samar; Bangon River in Palo, Leyte; Taytayan River in Baybay City, Leyte; and Calbiga River in Calbiga, Samar.

Six waterways in Hilongos, Leyte, are also being subjected to dredging operation, the DPWH said.

Meanwhile, desilting activities in Tacloban City have already been completed. The Burayan Creek saw the removal of 53,958.39 cubic meters of silt, while 49,653.39 cubic meters of silt were cleared from the Mangonbangon River.

The Pagsanga-an River in Ormoc City, also in Leyte, is also slated for dredging, pending the issuance of a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the DPWH Leyte 4th District Engineering Office.
(LIZBETH A. ABELLA, ROEL T. AMAZONA)