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Borongan City Mayor extends cash assistance to rehabilitated NPA members

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CASH ASSISTANCE. Two former members of the New People’s Army each received P50,000 cash assistance from the city government of Borongan under Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda in a simple ceremony on August 8. (BORONGAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
CASH ASSISTANCE. Two former members of the New People’s Army each received P50,000 cash assistance from the city government of Borongan under Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda in a simple ceremony on August 8.
(BORONGAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)

TACLOBAN CITY – Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda personally handed over financial assistance to two former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who surrendered to the 78th Infantry Battalion.

Each of the former NPA members received P50,000 from the Borongan City government through the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

Mayor Agda, during the August 8 ceremony, urged the two to encourage their friends and colleagues who are still active in the communist group to surrender and take advantage of government opportunities, such as the city’s “Dukwag Agrikultura” program, which aims to help them transition to a peaceful, normal life.

The two former rebels expressed their gratitude for the assistance, acknowledging that it will significantly help meet their needs as they start anew.

Acting Commanding Officer of the 78th Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Bugaoan, who was present during the turnover, thanked Mayor Agda and the CSWDO, led by Verina Amoyo, for their full support to the former rebels, noting that it greatly boosts their morale.

LtCol Bugaoan assured the local chief executive of their continued commitment to maintaining peace and progress in Borongan City.

Also present at the awarding ceremony was Col Rico Amaro, deputy brigade commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, who commended the city’s initiative to help former rebels reintegrate into society.

He also expressed interest in learning more about the city’s process for providing assistance to former rebels, with the hope that it could be replicated by other local government units.

In addition to the two former rebels, 11 others under the care of the 78th IB were also awarded financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

Three of the former rebels received P10,000 each, while the remaining nine received P5,000 each.

The recipients expressed their gratitude for the financial aid, which they plan to use as additional capital for their livelihoods.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Military expects more areas in EV declared under SIPSC

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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)

PNP moves to ensure peaceful polls in EV

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SARAKIKI-HADANG FESTIVAL. This year’s top winner of the Tandaya Festival of Festivals, one of the highlights of the Samar Day, was given to the Sarakiki-Hadang Festival of Calbayog City which gives honor and tribute to the gods. Story on Page 3. (CALBAYOG CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
SARAKIKI-HADANG FESTIVAL. This year’s top winner of the Tandaya Festival of Festivals, one of the highlights of the Samar Day, was given to the Sarakiki-Hadang Festival of Calbayog City which gives honor and tribute to the gods. Story on Page 3. (CALBAYOG CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)

2025 elections

TACLOBAN CITY—With less than two months remaining before the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2025 midterm elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas is intensifying security preparations to ensure a safe and orderly election in the region.

One of the key measures being implemented is the dismantling of private armed groups that continue to operate, particularly in the provinces of Samar and parts of Leyte, according to B/Gen. Reynaldo Pawid, the police regional director.

“These private armed groups, and even ordinary criminal groups, have been utilized by some politicians to further their illegal activities,” Pawid said during a media conference ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas ’on August 6.

Specially those with outstanding warrants, to ensure their eventual dismantling,” he added.
Pawid noted that based on their monitoring, four private armed groups remain active in Samar province and in certain areas of Leyte.

“We are closely watching three criminal groups and one private armed group, primarily operating in Samar and parts of Leyte,” he said.

Samar, particularly its first congressional district, which includes Calbayog City, is frequently designated as an area of concern during elections due to the presence of armed groups and incidents of violence.

Similar concerns have been observed in Leyte’s third district, as evidenced by incidents during last year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

“I have also directed local police to identify areas accessible only on foot, as well as barangays lacking road networks and communication signals, to prepare appropriate interventions in relation to the forthcoming elections,” Pawid added.

The campaign against private armed groups, suspected to be maintained and supported by some local politicians, received a significant boost after the leader of a major armed group surrendered on May 5 of this year.

Jimmy Managaysay, 36, surrendered to the police in Calbayog City.

He was facing multiple charges, including murder, robbery, homicide, and grave threats, among others. Along with his surrender, Managaysay also turned over several firearms to the authorities.

Managaysay’s group operated in Calbayog City and throughout the entire first district of Samar.

Following his surrender, another member of his group, known by the alias “Edgar,” also surrendered to the police. He was likewise facing several charges, including murder and frustrated murder.

JOEY A. GABIETA

Libanan files measure to separate Samar Island from Eastern Visayas region

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Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan
Minority Leader Marcelino
“Nonoy” Libanan

TACLOBAN CITY – House of Representatives Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan of the 4Ps party-list group has introduced a bill aiming to establish a new Samar Island Region (SIR) to decentralize and improve the delivery of essential national government services to some of the country’s least developed provinces.

House Bill No. 10727, filed by Libanan on August 6, proposes that the provinces of Northern Samar, Samar, and Eastern Samar, along with their cities, municipalities, and barangays, form the new SIR.

“Our measure, once enacted, will expedite the dispensing of national government services to the communities of the three Samar provinces,” Libanan stated.

“They will also have their own highly focused Regional Development Council (RDC) to drive economic growth and job creation,” he added.

Libanan, who represented Eastern Samar’s lone congressional district from 1998 to 2007 and served as provincial vice governor, is currently a representative of the 4Ps party-list group.

Once established, the SIR would become the country’s 19th administrative region.
In June, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12000, which created the Negros Island Region (NIR) as the country’s 18th administrative region.

A new region would require all national government line departments, such as health, education, and social services, to set up new regional offices.

Libanan’s bill does not specify the seat of the SIR but provides for the creation of a technical working group (TWG) to recommend the preferred site of the regional center to the Office of the President.

The TWG would include representatives from Malacañang, the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the governor’s offices of the three Samar provinces, and all elected congressional district representatives.

Currently, the three Samar provinces are part of Eastern Visayas (Region VIII), which also includes the provinces of Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte with Tacloban City as the regional center.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Gov. Tan led 183rd Samar founding anniversary

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SOPA. Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan delivered her State of the Province Address(SOPA) on Sunday, August 11, where she vowed to deliver services and projects that will benefit the Samarnons. (PHOTO COURTESY)
SOPA. Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan delivered her State of the Province Address(SOPA) on Sunday, August 11, where she vowed to deliver services and projects that will benefit the Samarnons.
(PHOTO COURTESY)

TACLOBAN CITY – During the 183rd founding anniversary of Samar, Governor Sharee Ann Tan emphasized that the celebration reflects the unity and oneness of the people of Samar.
On Sunday, August 11, 26 mayors from across the province attended Tan’s State of the Province Address (SOPA).

“This is a very momentous day because this is the first time, the first Samar Day, that we are indeed ‘One People, One Samar,’” Tan stated.

Tan vowed that, as governor, she, along with all the officials of the provincial government of Samar, would continue to take action and provide essential services for the people of Samar.

“We are one people, one Samar. Happy Samar Day,” Tan concluded.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Court ordered arrest of a former barangay treasurer

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ORMOC CITY– A former barangay treasurer was arrested by the police after a court issued a warrant of arrest on Saturday, August 10, at around 1:50 pm in Barangay Canipaan, Palompon, Leyte.

The accused, identified as “Sally,” 68, single, and a resident of Barangay San Pablo, was formerly the barangay treasurer.

The arrest was carried out based on a warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 17 of Palompon for violation of Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code, or failure of accountable officer to render accounts).

The court set bail at P6,000 for her temporary release.
(ROBERT DEJON)

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