ORMOC CITY-Three individuals were apprehended for illegal fishing and violation of a local ordinance on Tuesday, August 13, at around 5:40 am in Culaba, Biliran.

The local police, in coordination with Bantay Dagat personnel from the Municipal Agriculture Office, apprehended three persons on board a fishing boat in the seawaters off Barangay Looc of the said town.

The suspects were identified as alias “Lando,” 42, married; alias “Oscar,” 42, married; and alias “Jay,” 20, married—all residents of the municipality.

According to the local police, the joint operation was part of an anti-illegal fishing initiative.
During their routine patrol, the authorities discovered the suspects engaged in illegal fishing activities, a violation of a municipal ordinance, leading to their arrest.

Confiscated from the suspects were a fishing boat valued at P40,000, a motor engine worth P20,000, fishing nets worth P20,000, and assorted caught fish with an estimated value of P200.

The violators and the confiscated items were taken to the Culaba Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
(ROBERT DEJON)

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – The Philippine Army has reassured its commitment and support to the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Day and the 75th Anniversary of the Geneva Convention of 1949 at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

With the theme, “75 Taong Paninindigan sa IHL: Kamalayan, Kalinga, Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran—Kalakasan ng IHL sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the Department of National Defense (DND) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spearheaded the commemoration while highlighting the importance of balancing the country’s territorial integrity and minimizing harm to human lives, both during and after conflicts.

Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido emphasized that the 2024 IHL Day becomes more significant as the Philippine Army focuses on shifting to territorial defense. Soldiers are expected to uphold human rights with high standards of excellence and discipline. (PR)

In the fight against communist insurgency

CATBALOGAN CITY– The military continues to declare local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas as having a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) or being “insurgency-free,” though they are cautious in awarding this status.

This was stated by MGen Camilo Ligayo, the commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division during the ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas’ event held at Camp Vicente Lukban, based this city, on Tuesday, August 13.

“Of course, we want all LGUs to be declared with SIPSC status, but we must be careful in awarding it. We should follow all the parameters in making these declarations,” said MGen Ligayo.

Out of the 136 towns, seven cities, and six provinces in the region, at least 35 municipalities have already been awarded SIPSC status, mostly in Eastern Samar.
These municipalities include Giporlos, Oras, Maydolong, Guiuan, Balangkayan, Mercedes, San Julian, Sulat, Taft, San Policarpo, Lawaan, Llorente, Salcedo, and Quinapondan.

Other LGUs declared insurgency-free are Sta. Margarita, Sto. Niño, Pagsanghan, Tarangnan, San Sebastian, Almagro, and Talalora in Samar province; Allen, San Jose, Rosario, Capul, Biri, and San Vicente in Northern Samar; Palompon, Matag-ob, Isabel, Merida, Hilongos, and Bato in Leyte province; and Bontoc and Macrohon in Southern Leyte.
MGen Ligayo added that more LGUs would be declared insurgency-free in the coming months.

To be awarded SIPSC status, an LGU must be free from the presence, influence, and activity of the New People’s Army for at least a year.

The declaration is supported by a resolution from the respective Sangguniang Bayan or Panlalawigan, signed and approved by the mayor or governor who heads the local task force to end local armed conflict.

Having been awarded SIPSC status, these towns are now positioned to attract investments and development projects, including boosting their tourism potential, which is expected to stimulate the local economy and create jobs.

While most of the awarded LGUs are municipalities, 802nd Brigade Commander BGen Noel Vestuir revealed that Biliran province would soon receive the same recognition.

Vestuir said they are waiting for resolutions from the province’s eight towns, attesting that their respective areas are peaceful and free from insurgency influence. He added that they aim to award Biliran with SIPSC status by September or before the year ends.

He emphasized that LGUs must continue working to maintain peaceful communities after receiving SIPSC status by addressing social issues and providing solutions to local problems.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)