TACLOBAN CITY — Even as Typhoon ‘Tino’ battered Eastern Visayas, soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division clashed with communist rebels in the hinterlands of Llorente and Gen. MacArthur towns in Eastern Samar on November 3, resulting in the death of one New People’s Army (NPA) member.

The firefight erupted as troops of the 63rd Infantry Battalion were conducting focused military operations against remnants of the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Sesame under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), a report from the 8th ID, based in Catbalogan City, Samar, said on Thursday, Nov.6.

The slain rebel was identified as Joel Bobonao, also known as ‘Pen’ or ‘Jack’. Recovered from the encounter site were a .45 caliber pistol with ammunition, several firearm magazines, and personal belongings. The rest of the armed group reportedly fled after being outmaneuvered by government forces despite the adverse weather.

Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th ID, commended his troops for their persistence and bravery in maintaining peace and security in the region even under extreme conditions.

“Even as our troops face harsh weather and hazardous terrain, their dedication to protect our people and sustain peace in Eastern Visayas remains unwavering,” Orio said in a statement. “This encounter shows that the remaining CPP-NPA members in the region are losing community support.”

The 8ID reiterated its call for remaining members of the NPA to surrender and avail themselves of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to reintegrate into society.

Meanwhile, the division said its units remain on heightened alert for both internal security operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) efforts amid Typhoon Tino.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY— A 62-year-old woman was reported missing after being swept away by strong floodwaters at the height of Typhoon “Tino” early Tuesday morning, November 4, in Barangay Hilaan, Bontoc, Southern Leyte.

Police identified the missing person as Yolanda Labastida, married, and a resident of the said barangay.

Based on a report from the Bontoc Municipal Police Station submitted to the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), the incident was relayed by a certain alias “Lan,” a member of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Bontoc.

According to the report, Labastida and her husband, alias “Digong,” were attempting to evacuate from their home near a creek that had begun to overflow when she was reportedly swept away by the strong current.

Search and rescue operations were immediately launched by barangay officials and local responders, but as of press time, Labastida remains missing.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY-A 45-year-old man was killed after a fire of still unknown origin razed his house to the ground early Thursday morning, November 6, in Barangay Iniguihan, Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte.

Police identified the victim only by his alias “Esto,” a resident of the said barangay, who was alone in his home when the incident occurred around 12:01 a.m.

According to a report from the Tomas Oppus Municipal Police Station (MPS) submitted to the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), responding police officers and personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) found the house — made of both concrete and light materials — already engulfed in flames when they arrived.

The blaze was declared under control by 12:30 a.m. and fully extinguished by 1:00 a.m. Authorities confirmed that the victim’s remains were recovered from the debris, along with the total loss of his belongings.

The estimated cost of damage was pegged at P50,000. The BFP-Tomas Oppus continues to investigate the cause of the fire.

(ROBERT DEJON)

Globe continues to deliver critical support to communities affected by Typhoon ‘Tino’, with accelerated restoration efforts across the Visayas and Mindanao. The company has deployed technical teams, activated Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging (LTLC) stations, and is preparing for wider relief operations in severely impacted areas.

Globe services have been fully restored in the hardest-hit areas of Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte in Mindanao. In the Visayas, Aklan, Antique, Biliran, Bohol, Capiz, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Northern Samar, and Siquijor have also achieved 100% network restoration. Ongoing restoration continues in the hardest-hit provinces of Cebu, Leyte, and Negros Occidental, where Globe teams remain deployed to expedite full recovery.

In partnership with Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) through Brigadang Ayala, Globe has begun relief efforts for affected communities. The first batches of food assistance include 500 food packs distributed to Barangay Dumlog in Talisay City and another 500 food packs delivered to Barangay Bonbon in Cebu City, both in coordination with local government partners.

Additional relief deployments are being coordinated with local government units and partner organizations to reach more families in need across the Visayas and Mindanao.
To support residents in these high-impact communities, Globe activated the following Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging, and Libreng WiFi(LTLCW) sites to provide free calls, device charging, and WiFi access: Brgy. Bacayan Gym, Cebu City, Cebu, November 5 to 7, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Libreng Tawag and Wifi); Poblacion, Tolosa, Leyte November 5 to 7, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Libreng Tawag and Wifi); Visayas State University (VSU), Baybay City, Leyte, November 5 to 7, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Libreng Tawag and Wifi); Brgy. Handumanan Gym, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, November 5 to 7, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Libreng Charging only); Chapel of Phase 1, Villa Leyson, Bacayan, Cebu City, Cebu November 6 to 8, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Libreng Tawag, Charging, and WiFi); Talisay City National High School, Talisay City, Cebu, November 6 to 8, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Libreng Tawag, Charging, and WiFi); Lobby, Consolacion Municipal Bldg, Consolacion, Cebu, November 6 to 8, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Libreng Tawag, Charging, and WiFi); Chapel of Phase 1, Villa Leyson, Bacayan, Cebu City, Cebu, November 6 to 8, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Libreng Tawag, Charging, and WiFi); Brgy. Estefania Barangay Hall, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental November 6 to 8, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Libreng Charging only); and Ayungon Municipal Hall, Ayungon, Negros Oriental

November 5 to 8, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Libreng Charging only).
To help affected customers stay connected and supported, Globe has extended its Alagang Globe initiatives across the provinces of Antique, Biliran, Bohol, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Southern Leyte in the Visayas, as well as Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte in Mindanao. Globe Prepaid and TM – Free unlimited calls and texts to all networks, plus 100MB for all apps and 100MB for Facebook and Viber for one day. Globe Postpaid and GFiber Postpaid – Extended payment due dates for affected areas. Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi – Free 5GB open access data for three days for eligible users. GFiber Prepaid – Promo extension for three days in affected areas and donations for Disaster Relief – Customers can donate their Globe Rewards points or via GCash to Rise Against Hunger Philippines to fund meal packs and relief aid for affected families.(PR)

ORMOC CITY– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office completes the construction of a one-storey, three-classroom school building at Anislag Elementary School in Brgy. Anislag, Isabel, Leyte.

Funded under the FY 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the project has a contract cost of P 7,459,499.56 and a total floor area of 341 square meters. Moreover, the new classrooms are expected to help decongest existing classes and provide a safer, more comfortable learning space for students of Anislag Elementary School.

The building was officially turned over to the school on October 30, 2025, in a ceremony attended by Leyte 4th District Representative Richard I. Gomez, Isabel Mayor Atty. Bennet S. Pongos Jr., members of the school faculty, barangay officials, and project engineers from DPWH Leyte 4th DEO. (PR)