ORMOC CITY-A head teacher of a high school in Mondragon, Northern Samar survived a slay attempt to his life after a village councilor attacked him using a gun last April 21 with the police seeing personal grudge as the motive.
Mondragon chief of police, Captain Verna Cesista identified the victim as Adrian, 44, single, head teacher of the Mondragon Agro-Industrial High School, while the suspect was identified as Roberto Baluyot, 37, former barangay kagawad.
The two are both residents of Barangay Talulora, Mondragon.
Cesista, in an interview, disclosed that the incident happened inside the barangay court at about 5 pm while the barangay was in the midst of preparations for its annual fiesta next month.
She said that a heated argument between the victim and the suspect ensued when the victim asked the suspect why the project for one of the winning candidates of Ms. Talulora did not materialize.
According to PCPT Cesista, this upset the suspect who went home but later returned, this time carrying a short firearm.
The suspect immediately pulled out the gun from his waist and fired several shots at the suspect hitting his leg and thigh.
The suspect immediately fled the area after the shooting but was collared by responding police.
The victim was immediately brought to the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital for treatment where he is now in stable condition.
Charges of frustrated homicide were filed at the Provincial Fiscal Office against the suspect who is now detained at the detention facility of Mondragon police station. (ROBERT DEJON)
NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, N. Samar – In a significant strategy to strengthen the infrastructure backbone of Northern Samar, the Department of Public Works and Highways – Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH -NSSDEO) headed by District Engineer Charlito S. Carlobos and Assistant District Engineer Atty. Arthur Eric L. Sabong has successfully completed a comprehensive Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of National Roads with Slips, Slope Collapse, and Landslide, Secondary Roads, Pangpang Palapag-Mapanas-Gamay-Lapinig Road, K0809+415 – K0809+655, K0810+500 – K0810+750, K0812+150 – K0812+500, Northern Samar.
With slips, slope collapse, and landslides posing persistent challenges, the project aims to enhance the resilience of secondary roads in the province. Spearheaded by the joint venture of JOMARCANN GENERAL CONSTRUCTION and PJ TAN CONSTRUCTION, the endeavor received funding from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2022, amounting to a substantial PHP 98,610,000.00.
Under the meticulous oversight of Project Engineer Nicanor L. Mejos, Jr., the rehabilitation project focuses on the construction of vital slope protection measures. A total of 840.00 meters of rockfall barrier was installed along specific segments of the road network: K0809+415 – K0809+655 (240.00 meters, right side); K0810+500 – K0810+750 (250.00 meters, right side); K0812+150 – K0812+500 (350.00 meters, right side.)
This strategic intervention is poised to fortify the safety and durability of the road network, ensuring smoother and safer travel for residents, motorists, and commuters traversing Northern Samar’s scenic view.
Moreover, the completion of this rehabilitation project not only reinforced the road network’s resilience against natural hazards but also opens up opportunities for tourism development in the municipality. With smoother and safer roadways, tourists and travelers can now explore or enjoy the picturesque landscapes of Northern Samar with greater ease and convenience. This infrastructure project aligns with the broader goal of promoting tourism and economic growth in the province. (Khyzel M. Sosing/PR)
CATARMAN, Northern Samar – The Department of Public Works and Highways, Northern Samar First District Engineering Office (DEO) has commenced the construction of a road in Barangay Doña Polqueria, Catarman, Northern Samar.
The P4.90-million project under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, involves the concreting of a 186-meter stretch road with a pavement width of 3.05 meters and a thickness of 0.23 meters. Additionally, a 186-meter-long concrete shoulder will be constructed with stone masonry on both sides for cross-drainage to be installed.
If completed, the road construction is expected to provide a safe, convenient and fast transport for both the commuters and agricultural products.
District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio emphasized the positive impact of this development on the local community, stating that it signifies improved access to essential services.
“With the ongoing road construction, locals will no longer have to contend with muddy roads, especially during the rainy season. Soon, they will have better access to health, education, and other social services that will undoubtedly contribute to an overall improvement in their quality of life,” said DE Ignacio.
Danilo Balleta, a barangay official, expressed gratitude for the project, emphasizing how it will improve their quality of life. He mentioned that transportation was challenging before due to muddy roads, but with the construction of a new road, access to social services will be much easier.
“Before, residents had to rely on motor bancas to cross the Catarman River to reach the town proper. Now, with the ongoing road construction, everything will be accessible by land. transporting farm products such as rice and coconuts will become easier.” Kgd. Balleta further said.
The project commenced on February 21, 2024, and is expected to be completed in May of 2024. (ANALIZA A. PABIA,PIO ALTERNATE/PR)
TACLOBAN CITY – The city government of Ormoc is all set for the hosting of the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) this May 5 to 10.
During the 10th EVRAA executive committee meeting held last April 24, City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez emphasized the need to enhance event preparation by devising contingency plans for potential interruptions and addressing concerns.
The city mayor also highlighted the importance of improving billeting structures, suggesting upgrades such as installing new toilet bowls, painting walls in blue with rubberized top coats, providing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for food servers, and enhancing landscaping.
She also stressed the importance of ensuring the accuracy and authenticity of sports events and results, as well as maintaining a smooth flow during awarding ceremonies, including arrangements for media coverage and event photographers.
Ormoc City DepEd Division is targeting to once again bag the overall championship crown from the EVRAA, which they have been winning since 2018, grabbing the title that has long been held by the Leyte DepEd Division.
As part of their preparation to win the crown, the city government led by Mayor Torres-Gomez and her husband, Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez, distributed playing shoes and parade shoes and uniforms to their student-athlete delegates.
About 547 student-athletes received a complete set of sports uniforms.
Mayor Gomez noted that the simple act of providing shoes has translated into a remarkable transformation for their student-athletes, propelling the delegation from zero to becoming dominant contenders in the regional event.
They also presented the kitchen staff uniforms as well as sets of plates that will be used by the city athletes in the entirety of the sporting event.
Moreover, the city government also revealed the set of celebrities that they invited to grace the opening of EVRAA 2024.
This celebrities include professional basketball players Asi Taulava and Gary David, rapper Andrew E, Alex Gonzaga, Julie Anne San Jose, P-Pop group BGYO, Migs Bustos, and Gretchen Ho. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
LESS BLOODY? PNP Chief, Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said that while the campaign against illegal drugs will continue under the Marcos administration, they will focus on drug lords and not just on street peddlers as he assured that their approach would result in reduced violence.(PRO-8)
His 1st visit as PNP chief
LESS BLOODY? PNP Chief, Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said that while the campaign against illegal drugs will continue under the Marcos administration, they will focus on drug lords and not just on street peddlers as he assured that their approach would result in reduced violence.(PRO-8)
CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO, Leyte-Police Director General Rommel Francisco Marbil said that the anti-drug campaign under the administration of Pres. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr., will target the ‘higher level’ or the drug lords and not just those in the street peddling illegal drugs.
Marbil made this remark in an ambush interview with the local media on Tuesday (April 23), as he made his first command visit to the regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police since he assumed the post as the country’s top police officer on April 1.
“Our efforts will now concentrate on disrupting the supply chains by tackling the higher level of the drug trade. This shift in focus will alleviate the burden on law enforcement, as we aim to apprehend the true orchestrators and protectors of this illicit industry,” the PNP chief said.
“Our agenda revolves around dismantling drug networks, not engaging in a ‘war’ on drugs. It’s always been a campaign for us within the PNP,” Marbil, who served as Eastern Visayas police regional director from August 15, 2022 until May 2,2023, added.
He also insisted that what they are waging is not a war on illegal drugs but just a campaign against the illegal substance.
“Ang sinasabi namin sa PNP, it’s always a campaign. Wala po kasing (anti-drug) war,” he said.
Marbil also said that they will continue to ‘improve’ their strategies to rid the country of the illegal drugs.
“While our previous strategies have yielded results, adversaries have adapted, prompting us to refine our approach continually. We are committed to enhancing our campaign plan to mitigate drug-related activities,” he said.
President Marcos had earlier declared his administration’s commitment to continue the anti-drug campaign, assuring a less violent approach compared to the previous administration under Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte’s tenure was marked by a controversial and aggressive anti-drug campaign, resulting in numerous casualties and drawing scrutiny from international bodies such as the International Criminal Court.
Records from the government said that about 8,000 people died due to the anti-drug war of the Duterte administration though some human rights groups claimed as high as 30,000 people died due to the brutal campaign of the previous administration.
Meantime, during his visit to the region, Marbil led in the blessing of the new gates of the PNP-8 headquarters and the blessing of the building of the Association of Police Officers via Lateral Entry Inc. (APOLE-8) which is headed by former police regional information officer, Ma. Bella Rentuaya.
The PNP chief also met with Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and personally turned over two police patrol cars to the city police office.
And his meeting with police personnel in the region, led by B/Gen. Reynaldo Pawid, the police regional director, Marbil expressed his happiness on his visit to the region as PNP chief.
“I am glad to return to my unit where I learned to become a true Filipino. They really helped me become one of the best (police officers),” he later said during an interview.
TACLOBAN CITY– At least 24 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released on Wednesday (April 24) at the Leyte Regional Prison (LRP) in Abuyog, Leyte.
The release of the PDLs was witnessed by the chief of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Persida Rueda-Acosta, who urged the remaining inmates not to lose hope as they too could also be released from the facility.
It was learned that the 24 inmates were released as their petitions for parole, mainly due to good conduct time allowance (GCTA), were approved by the Board of Pardons and Parole, an attached agency of the Department of Justice.
At present, there are 3,199 PDLs at the LRP serving their respective sentences whose crimes ranged from illegal possession of drugs, murder, rape, and other heinous crimes.
During her visit, Rueda-Acosta disclosed that there is now a ruling from the Supreme Court granting convicted prisoners of heinous crimes to GCTA, giving them the opportunity for early release from prison from their jail terms.
“The decision of the Supreme Court has come recently which recognized that as long as someone is imprisoned, even if sentenced to life, reclusion perpetua or a maximum of 30 or 40 years, regardless of the setting, good behavior can now be granted,” the PAO chief said, whose audio remarks during the occasion was provided to the Inquirer.
“So don’t fight anymore, do some riots because you can also go home. And I want you to go home alive and not resting,” Rueda-Acosta added.
She also said that the release of convicted inmates at the prison facilities is part of the program of the national government to decongest the jail facilities.
At present, there are 3,199 convicted prisoners at LRP, which has a capacity of just 700.
But last January of this year, 48 inmates from the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City were transferred to LRP, to decongest the national penitentiary.
On the same occasion, PAO lawyers provided legal services to the inmates and medical attention to the elderly and sick inmates. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
