TACLOBAN CITY – The province of Samar proudly showcased its rich culinary heritage during the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) “SALO-SALO: Taste the Flavor, Experience the Culture” celebration, highlighting the province’s unique heirloom dishes through its acclaimed “Secret Kitchens of Samar” initiative.

The province’s participation reflects its full support for the DOT’s Strategic Framework and Roadmap for Food and Gastronomy Tourism, aimed at strengthening culinary tourism as a driver of economic and cultural development.

Governor Sharee Ann Tan emphasized the role of food as a medium for storytelling and community empowerment. “‘Secret Kitchens of Samar’ not only preserves our culinary traditions but also creates sustainable livelihoods in our local communities,” she said.

Through the SALO-SALO celebration, Samar seeks to promote its cultural assets and position itself as a rising destination for food and heritage tourism—where tradition, flavor, and identity come together.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY– The maintenance section of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) welcomes a major boost to its emergency response capability with the arrival of new equipment: three brand new light towers and one portable air compressor with jack hammer.

The demonstration and commissioning were led by representatives from Atlas Copco at the DPWH Area V compound to walk the team through proper use and maintenance. The light towers, worth P3,125,792 and the air compressor, priced at P1,664,208 bring the total investment to nearly P4.8 million.

With these additions, the Maintenance Section is now better equipped to respond to urgent situations, especially during night-time operations. Whether it’s search and rescue during calamities or emergency road repairs in the dark, the team can now work more safely and efficiently.

“These tools will help us do our jobs better, especially when time is critical,” said District Engineer Rosita A. Tinawin. “It’s a big step forward in making sure we’re always ready to serve the public, no matter the hour or the conditions.” (PR)

ORMOC CITY– A member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) was arrested Thursday night, May 28, for illegal possession of a firearm and violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11067 under the Omnibus Election Code.

The suspect, identified by police as alias “Nil,” 39 years old, single, and a resident of Barangay Igot, Villareal, Samar was apprehended at around 9:46 pm inside Vanessa Restobar in Barangay Tayud, said town.

According to the Villareal Municipal Police Station, officers were conducting Oplan Bakal Sita when they noticed two individuals drinking at the said restobar. While monitoring the pair, police observed a suspicious bulge at the back waistline of one of them.

As a precaution, authorities approached the suspect and instructed him to stand up, turn around, and lift his jacket and shirt. This revealed a .45 caliber Colt pistol tucked into his waistband. He was immediately placed under arrest.

Police recovered from his possession one Colt .45 caliber pistol; two magazines; and 14 live rounds of ammunition.

The suspect failed to produce legal documents for the firearm, prompting his arrest. He was informed of the charges and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.

He is now detained at the Villareal Police Station along with the confiscated firearm and ammunition for proper documentation and filing of appropriate charges. His drinking companion was released after verification.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY – A barangay councilor was shot dead in broad daylight while escorting his live-in partner on Thursday afternoon, May 28, in Sitio Santa Maria, Brgy. Cabunga-an, Villaba, Leyte.

The victim, identified by police as alias “Ion,” 36 years old, a resident and barangay kagawad of Cabunga-an, was killed by an unidentified gunman.

He was reportedly riding his motorcycle to accompany his live-in partner, who was on a separate motorcycle headed toward the town proper of Villaba.

According to police, a concerned citizen called the station to report the shooting incident. Responding officers arrived to find the victim lying sideways on the road, bleeding from a head wound believed to be caused by gunshots.

Initial investigation revealed that while the couple was en route to the town center, the suspect—riding another motorcycle—approached from behind and fired multiple shots at the victim, fatally hitting him in the head with an unknown caliber of firearm. The assailant fled in an unknown direction after the attack.

The Villaba Municipal Police Station is conducting a thorough investigation and has coordinated with neighboring police units to launch a dragnet operation for the identification and arrest of the suspect.

(ROBERT DEJON)