ORMOC CITY-Two tricycle drivers who were caught in the act of betting an illegal online ‘sabong’ were arrested by the local police during the conduct of implementing city ordinances at about 5 pm on Tuesday(June 4) at Ormoc City Public Terminal, Barangay South of this city.

Police identified the suspects as Marvin Polido, 33, a resident of Brgy.Punta and Noel Perez, 42, of Brgy. Can-adieng here.

Operatives of Police Station 1 of the Ormoc City Police Office while conducting the implementation of city ordinances were able to apprehend the two suspects after they were caught in the act of engaging in illegal gambling through betting on online sabong.

The police confiscated from the suspects in actual possession and control of bet money in the amount of P490.

The two suspects were brought to Police Station 1 for proper documentation and disposition and were charged with violation of PD 1602 which prohibits illegal gambling.
(ROBERT DEJON)

In Eastern Samar

ARTECHE, Eastern Samar– 4Ps party-list Rep. and Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan has responded to the call of the people of Eastern Samar to run for congressman and unite with Governor Ben Evardone.

“It is my duty to listen to the clamor of the political machinery of my province down to the barangays. It is my responsibility to react positively to this call,” Libanan said in a media interview on Saturday (June 8).

According to Libanan, 20 mayors, vice mayors, their Sangguniang members, and even barangay leaders signed a resolution endorsing him and Gov. Evardone to unite and run for the positions of congressman and governor for the province of Eastern Samar, respectively, in next year’s elections.

“About 95 percent of Eastern Samar is calling for unification and for me to run as a congressman. This is unprecedented,” he added.

Libanan, who was in Arteche to lead the inauguration of an academic building at the Eastern Samar State University-Arteche campus last Saturday(June 8), served as three-term congressman of the lone congressional district of Eastern Samar, a post occupied by Rep. Maria Fe Abunda.

The goal of this unification, according to Libanan, is to hold a development summit after the election to strategize a plan to remove Eastern Samar from the list of the poorest provinces in the country.

This summit will define a unified plan to identify the roles of the congressman, the governor, the mayors, and the barangays in achieving the goal of eradicating poverty in the province, the lawmaker said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Boie Rolan Evardone of Arteche, who admitted that he is not a supporter of Libanan since their political families have been foes for decades, said that it is high time to set aside politics and support good plans and clear directions for the development of Eastern Samar.

“I support Rep.Libanan because I believe he is the right person with a clear plan, willing to support Arteche’s crusade for a developed municipality,” he said. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY– A woman was apprehended by the local police after the court issued a warrant for her arrest in Barangay Ibarra, Maasin City.

Maasin City police chief, Lt. Col. Jason Balbarona identified the accused as Maria Calonia, 50, married, jobless a resident of Brgy Maria Clara here who was arrested on Thursday(June 6) at about 11 am.

The accused was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Carlos Arguelles, acting presiding judge of Branch 24, Maasin City dated June 6, 2024, for the crime of cyber Libel under Art 353 and 355 of Revised Penal Code as amended.

The accused posted a bail of P30,000 for her temporary liberty.

Cyber libel is the act of spreading false information about another person, group, or organization through a computer network. (ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– A construction worker facing sexual complaints was arrested in Maasin City on Thursday (June 6).

Arrested was Raffy Dapiton,55 in Barangay Canturing of said city at about 11:50 am, Maasin City police director Lt.Col. Jason Balbarona.

Dapiton’s arrest was by virtue of a warrant issued by Judge Carlos Arguelles, presiding judge of Regional Trial Court-Branch 24 in Maasin City.

He was accused of two counts of the crime of acts of lasciviousness.
The court recommended P10,000 for each count for his temporary liberty.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY-Joyce, who was jailed recently, has discovered a path to redemption and societal reintegration.

This is because she and 30 other probationers and parolees from the Department of Justice-Parole and Probation Administration (DOJ-PPA) have been granted an opportunity to play a significant role in preserving a heritage site in Eastern Visayas.

The DOJ-PPA has taken a stride by linking up with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the ‘Adopt a Heritage Site’ initiative. This special project is a testament to the power of collaboration, aiming to engage individuals like Joyce in the noble task of preserving our cultural heritage through community services.

Sheree Ann G. Brosas, the special police officer of DOJ-PPA, shared that this special project will give dignity to those who wish to make an impact on the community and become productive.

The participating local government units in the region and the DOT have identified several heritage sites. Some of these sites include Our Lady of Annunciation Cathedral Parish, Catbalogan Lighthouse-Parola, Bayview Centennial Park, Nasunugan Watchtower Ruins, Carigara Municipal Library and Museum, Grand Canyon, St. Michael Archangel Church, Madonna of Japan, Malajog Natural Ridge Park, Battle of Ormoc Bay Memorial Park and Veterans Park, and Immaculate Conception Church.

As part of a partnership, probationers and parolees must perform four hours of community service every month for a period of 10 months. At the end of the program, they will receive payment under the DOLE’s Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

Joyce and others received t-shirts and personal equipment for the clean-up drive. The ongoing special project was launched on April 22, coinciding with World Earth Day. The DOLE allocated some P1.45 million for the payout of the participating DOJ-PPA clients.
Ma. Beverly D. Ampo, the regional officer-in-charge of DOJ-PPA, emphasized that the DOJ-PPA clients are not just receiving assistance but also finding occasional temporary work. Furthermore, they contribute to the community and demonstrate that government support makes real change possible.

“First time ko mag-attend hin sugad nga activity ngan kailangan gihapon namon maglimpyo o clean-up drive once a month. Happy ako kay nakakabulig kami hiton aton komunidad. Nagpapasalamat ako nga may ada gihapon nabulig pagsuporta ha amon nga mga probation,” Joyce expressed her appreciation and gratitude for this partnership and project.

(It’s my first time attending such an activity, and we still need to participate in a clean-up drive once a month. I’m happy because we’re able to help our community. I am thankful that there are still those who support us in our probation.)

The three government agencies’ partnership has provided Joyce and other probationers and parolees with a meaningful rehabilitation program, helping them contribute to their community and make a positive impact as they reintegrate into society.

(AAC, PIA Leyte, with reports from PIA interns Diana Loste and Alexis Macasujot)