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Gov. Petilla expresses alarm; directs cops to heighten their presence

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ALARM. Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla has expressed his alarm on the series of shooting incidents in the province’s third district, mostly involving barangay officials. Photo shows Petilla with security officials led by Col. Erwin Portillo, Leyte police director, and Gen. Noel Vestuir, the commanding officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade. (CARLOS JERICHO ICOT PETILLA FACEBOOK)

Spate of killings in the 3rd district

ALARM. Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla has expressed his alarm on the series of shooting incidents in the province’s third district, mostly involving barangay officials. Photo shows Petilla with security officials led by Col. Erwin Portillo, Leyte police director, and Gen. Noel Vestuir, the commanding officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade. (CARLOS JERICHO ICOT PETILLA FACEBOOK)

TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla expressed concern over the series of shooting incidents in the third district of the province, suggesting that the suspects might not be local residents.

In response to inquiries about measures taken by the province to address the killings, particularly targeting elected village officials, Gov.Petilla emphasized the challenge of identifying the perpetrators. He noted that the suspects’ faces are often uncovered, making it difficult to ascertain their origins.

“The suspects are unidentifiable, their identities remain unknown. It’s possible they are not from our province. With the prevalence of aliases like ‘Marites’ nowadays, authorities may find it easier to gather information on their whereabouts,” he said.

Gov. Petilla disclosed that he has instructed the provincial police to bolster their presence in the district to counteract the surge in shooting incidents, which have claimed the lives of numerous village officials.

He cited a similar strategy employed during the previous Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, where increased police deployment helped mitigate violence.
During the recent barangay election period, increased police presence in the third district resulted in a notable reduction in violence, Gov. Petilla noted.

“We’re adopting a similar approach, but we cannot sustain it indefinitely. We may encounter challenges elsewhere, so we’re working with the PNP to manage resources efficiently, including deploying more personnel and enhancing logistical support,” he added.

To address the alarming trend of killings, the governor disclosed that the province has allocated funds from its confidential budget to offer rewards for individuals who provide information leading to the arrest of the suspects.

A reward of P500,000 has been announced by the Leyte Police Provincial Office, with assurances of confidentiality for informants.

Additionally, Gov. Petilla stated that he has engaged with political leaders in the district, inquiring about any potential involvement in the crimes. However, they denied any connection to the incidents, affirming their innocence.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

2-yr-old child seriously injured after dog attack in Samar

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TACLOBAN CITY– A two-year-old child was seriously mauled following a dog attack in Barangay Timbangan, Calbiga, Samar, on Saturday afternoon (March 9).

The attack was so fierce that it completely tore the child’s ears and a chunk of flesh in other parts of the body.

Police said the victim was found with bite wounds by the barangay tanods at around 4:30 pm Saturday near the farmland owned by a certain Ron.

The child was immediately brought to Calbiga Rural Health Unit for medical treatment and subsequently referred to Eastern Visayas Medical Center, this city, for further treatment, according to the information released by the Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas (PRO-8).

Initial investigation showed the victim was left under the temporary custody of their grandparents, as the mother of the victim was instructed by her grandparents to buy goods.

“However, the victim left her grandparents’ house and went to the farmland of Ron where she was bitten by four unleashed dogs,” the police report added.
Authorities said the owner of the dogs was contacted and agreed to pay and settle all the medical expenses for the medication of the child.
(RONALD O. REYES)

DOH, Tingog party-list donates ambulances to 22 local governments in E. Visayas

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TACLOBAN CITY-The Department of Health (DOH) and the Tingog party-list turned over 22 ambulance units to various local government units in Eastern Visayas on March 6.
The distribution was graced by Usec. Gloria Balboa, Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino, mayors of the recipients’ local governments as well as representatives from the Tingog party-list, municipal health officers, and public health nurses.

Among the recipients of the ambulance were Caibiran in Biliran province, the towns of Maydolong, San Julian, and Oras in Eastern Samar province; and San Roque and Bobon in Northern Samar province.

The city of Tacloban, and towns of Burauen, Dagami, La Paz, Macarthur, Calubian, Isabel, and San Miguel in Leyte province; Tarangan, Paranas, Sta. Rita and Matuguinao, all in Samar; and the city of Maasin, and towns of Anahawan, Liloan, and Malitbog in Southern Leyte.

The ambulances are funded under the Health Facility Enhancement Program of the health agency which aims to provide access to better health services for residents in the region.
Caibiran Mayor Rhodessa Delante-Revita, whose town is the only recipient from the province of Biliran, was thankful to the help of the DOH and to the Tingog party-list for their commitment to the delivery of better health services to the community.

Isabel Mayor Edgardo Cordeňo was also thankful to the health agency adding that their new ambulance will greatly help their town in disaster response preparedness and ensure safe delivery and readiness during an emergency.

Maasin City Mayor Nacional Mercado was also grateful to the DOH, including to the Tingog party-list and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, saying it will be helpful in assisting the needs of the patients since it is complete with medical equipment necessary to save lives while transporting a patient to a health facility.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

‘Habal-habal’ driver shot dead in Samar; police yet to arrest the motorcycle-riding suspects

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TACLOBAN CITY-A habal-habal (improvised motorcycle) driver was gunned down by four unidentified suspects in Gandara town, Samar on Sunday (March 10) by a group of armed men.

Police identified the victim as alias Labramonte, married, and a resident of Barangay Maboligon, Matuguinao, Samar.

The victim was driving his motorcycle bound for Matuguinao when upon reaching Barangay San Jose, Gandara at around 12:10 a.m., the suspects onboard two motorcycles appeared and shot the victim.

The multiple gunshot wounds in the different parts of his body resulted in the victim’s death, according to the police.

Calbayog City Forensic Unit recovered six empty fired cartridge cases of caliber .45 at the crime scene.

Elements of Gandara Municipal Police Station have coordinated with nearby stations and intelligence operatives for the possible identity and arrest of the suspects.
(RONALD O.REYES)

A tool against corruption

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Nowadays, social media has become an integral part of our society, influencing almost every aspect of our lives. Of the many roles that it plays, it can expose corruption and anomalies in various institutions, proving itself to be a powerful tool in holding individuals and organizations accountable for their unethical actions.

For one, it can facilitate quick and widespread dissemination of information. With just a few clicks, a piece of information can reach millions of people within seconds. This rapid spread of information has been instrumental in bringing to light various scandals and wrongdoings that might have otherwise remained hidden. For example, whistleblower accounts on social media platforms have led to the exposure of corrupt practices in government agencies and multinational corporations.

Social media provides a platform for individuals to share their personal experiences and stories of corruption. This grassroots approach to exposing wrongdoing has been particularly effective in bringing attention to issues that might have otherwise been ignored by mainstream media. With ordinary citizens becoming citizen journalists, social media has empowered communities to take collective action against corruption and anomalies in their midst.

Furthermore, social media has helped in creating a culture of transparency and accountability. Public figures and organizations are now under constant scrutiny on social media, which has significantly reduced the likelihood of getting away with corrupt practices. The fear of public backlash and damage to reputation has forced many individuals and organizations to reconsider their unethical actions and adopt more ethical practices.

Social media’s ability to quickly disseminate information, empower individuals to share their stories, and hold public figures accountable has made it a powerful force for transparency and accountability. As we continue to rely on social media for information and communication, we encourage its potential to shed light on corruption and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

A dry humor

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DOMS PAGLIAWAN

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been a big fan of water. It’s versatile, it’s refreshing, and it makes up about 70% of me – which is a good thing, considering my undeniable charm. But lately, water has been playing hard to get to many of us. It’s like the popular kid at school who suddenly decides to skip class, leaving all of us parched and longing.

Now, I’m not one to panic, but when the water taps started coughing up air instead of water, I did have a moment of existential crisis. I mean, how was I supposed to water my plastic plants? They may not need actual water, but they deserve to feel included.

And let’s not get started on the showers. The water pressure has been so low that I’ve had to resort to the ‘bucket and dipper’ method, making my showers feel like a low-budget water park ride. I’ve developed muscles I didn’t know existed from heaving buckets of water over my head. Who would have thought the water crisis would turn my bathroom into a makeshift gym?

Then there’s the issue of hydration. They say, “Drink at least eight glasses of water a day.” But they didn’t tell us what to do when there was barely enough water to fill one glass. I guess we’re all on an involuntary water diet. On the bright side, I’ve never appreciated the taste of water more. Each sip feels like winning the lottery.

But let’s not forget the elephants in the room – or rather, the dishes in the sink. They’ve started forming a mountain range, reaching new heights every day. If this continues, I might have to hire a professional climber to conquer Mount Dirty Dishes. You know, I’m not used to eating on unwashed plates, what about you? (Just kidding)

Picture this: you wake up to the sound of your stomach growling and your throat as dry as the Sahara. You stumble to the kitchen, half-asleep, only to find the faucet coughing up a feeble dribble of water reminiscent of a parched cactus. Cue the dramatic music – it’s the start of another day in the water-deprived Wild West.

As you scramble to ration your precious drops, you start to appreciate the little things in life – like the refreshing sensation of a cold shower or the simple joy of flushing the toilet without performing a rain dance. You find yourself eyeing your houseplants with envy, wondering if they’re secretly mocking your water woes with their lush greenery.

In all seriousness, though, the water crisis many of us are experiencing is no laughing matter. It’s a pressing issue that needs immediate attention and action. But while we wait for solutions, let’s just resort to finding humor in the situation. After all, they say laughter is the best medicine. And in times like these, it might just be the best way to stay afloat.

So, as we journey through this watery wilderness together, let’s remember to keep our spirits buoyant and our sense of humor intact. After all, laughter may not quench our thirst, but it sure beats crying into an empty glass. Cheers to surviving the great thirst – may your cups runneth over with laughter and your faucets flow freely once more!

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