ORMOC CITY– A truck helper died on the spot after being hit by the truck he was working on when he jumped off as it lost its brakes at about 1:50 pm on Thursday (July 4) along the national highway in Barangay Katipunan, Silago in Southern Leyte.

The victim was identified as Randy Bomulto, 31, single, a truck helper. Another passenger, who was unhurt, was identified as Rachel Abecia, 31.

Both are residents of Las Nieves, Agusan Del Norte.

The truck involved was an Isuzu truck with plate number XFG446, driven by Manuel Vallez, 53, married, a businessman, and a resident of Brgy. Borol, 1St. Balagtas, Bulacan.

An initial investigation revealed that the truck was traveling from Silago towards Abuyog, Leyte. Upon reaching Brgy. Katipunan, the driver lost control of the brakes, causing the truck to crash into the right-side canal of the road.

Bomulto, one of the passengers, jumped out of the truck and was hit by the vehicle, which ran towards the area where he landed, causing his death. The driver and the other passenger were unharmed, though the vehicle incurred damages.

The police reported that both the driver and the other passenger had urged Bomulto not to jump from the truck when it experienced brake trouble. However, Bomulto did not heed their warnings. After he jumped, the truck veered towards the area where he landed, resulting in him being hit and thrown into the drainage canal.
(ROBERT O. DEJON)

ORMOC CITY-Two persons were arrested by the Station Drug Enforcement Unit of the local police of Hilongos, Leyte in a buy-bust operation.

Police identified the suspects as alias “Jay” 39, single, and alias “Tony” 38, married, construction worker who were arrested in a sting operation in Barangay Baas at about 11:22 pm last June 24.

It was learned that the target of the operation was alias “Jay who was in possession of two sachets containing of suspected shabu.

On the other hand, the searching cop recovered from the possession of alias “Tony” two sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu and other personal belongings.

No statements were issued by the two arrested persons after their arrest.

Charges of violation of Article II of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Drugs of 2002, was filed by the arresting police against the two suspects who are who are temporarily detained at the locked-up cell of Hilongos municipal station.(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – A party-list solon has commended the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. for its focus on the development of the country’s agriculture sector.

Rep. Wilbert Lee of the Agri party-list group stated that, as far as he knows, only the Marcos administration has given significant attention to the agriculture sector, aiming to improve the living conditions of farmers and the sector itself.

“I am pleased because this is the only administration that has focused on agriculture. Despite the many problems, the important thing is that our President has started it,” Lee said in an interview.

On several occasions, the President has reiterated his intention to improve the quality of life among farmers by developing and strengthening policies and prioritizing the welfare of agricultural workers.

During his visit to the region on July 4, the President extended financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk and donated equipment to boost their production yields.
Rep. Lee also mentioned that he has filed several measures in Congress to help farmers, whom he referred to as food security soldiers.

These measures include streamlining and simplifying the loan process for farmers and allocating funds for improvements in farm implements and facilities like water impounding, using a portion of the 20 percent economic development fund of local government units.
Rep. Lee noted that while he supports the government’s land distribution program, the assistance should not stop there.

“Support is still needed. If no support is given, such as capital and farm inputs, what will happen is that the land will just be mortgaged. Even before the harvest, our farmers are already buried in debt,” he said.

“We need to provide capital, farm implements, and most importantly, financial literacy training,” the Agri party-list solon added. (JOEY A. GABIETA)