Manila– On February 21, the Philippines and the United States governments inaugurated the National Virtual Training Center (NVTC) in Silang, Cavite that will improve and expand the training of public health personnel, veterinarian health workers, and first responders in addressing biological and chemical threats.

Designed, constructed, and equipped through funding from the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP) and Chemical Security Elimination (CSE) Program, the NVTC is a multi-million dollar advanced training and practical laboratory facility that will increase the quantity and quality of training programs that cover multiple disciplines of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear security. Through the NVTC, the Philippines will enhance its capacity to train current and future generations of laboratory specialists and first responders in detecting and preventing threats arising from weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).

“This facility will house a lecture hall for classroom-setting trainings, a practical biological diagnostics laboratory classroom for hands-on biosafety and biosecurity trainings, and a virtual reality room equipped with headsets to provide an opportunity to train virtually on a chemical security curriculum,” DTRA Program Manager Corey Erff said.

The inauguration of the NVTC was attended by Philippines Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Serafin Barretto Jr., National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Director General Ricardo De Leon, Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) President Ferdinando Sevilla, and representatives from the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Office of the President, and the University of the Philippines.

“The NVTC will be a tool for the country to address emerging threats and provide continuing education to public safety practitioners following international standards,” NICA Director General De Leon said. “The NVTC will help to achieve the goal of having a peaceful and safe nation, resilient against Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats and free from WMDs”.

The DILG and PPSC will oversee the operations of the NVTC, which will be open for use by all government departments and academic and industry partners.

DTRA’s BTRP and CSE programs are working with Philippine government agencies to develop an operational framework to ensure the facility promotes long-term, sustainable threat reduction efforts.

“The construction of the NVTC, and any future collaboration, is carried out by the United States government in close collaboration with the Philippine government, ensuring strict adherence to Philippine laws. By working together, these projects will continue to ensure the safety and well-being of Filipino citizens,” Erff added. (PR)

ORMOC CITY– The No. 1 most wanted person of Kawayan, Biliran was apprehended in a joint operation conducted by local police, operatives of the Regional Intelligence Unit 8, and San Mateo MPS at about 10:20 am on Friday (March 2), along General Luna St. in San Mateo, Rizal province.

The arrested individual, identified as “Gary,” aged 58 and married, was temporarily residing in San Mateo, Rizal, but is a resident of Kawayan, Biliran.

The arrest stemmed from a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Luz Petilla-Navarette, executive judge of the 8th Judicial Region, Branch 16, Naval, Biliran, dated March 21, 2023, for violation of RA 9262.

The warrant recommended a bail of P36,000.

Following the apprehension, the accused was promptly taken to San Mateo municipal police station for documentation and appropriate processing before being presented to the court that issued the warrant of arrest.
(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY-Joylen Digno, a resident of Barangay Canunghan in Tarangnan, Samar, was reported missing by her husband, Gilbert, to the police station on Friday (March 1).
Gilbert informed authorities that Joylen was last seen around 8 am on the same day.
Tragically, Joylen’s charred and dismembered body was discovered by a fisherman around 7:30 am on March 2(Saturday), placed inside a sack along the shoreline of Brgy. Canunghan.

The suspect in this gruesome crime was identified as Diego Lentejas, also a resident of the same village.

The police were alerted to the discovery of the body by village chairman Arsenio Tamor who reported the finding to the station past 4 pm on Friday.

Upon arriving at the scene, authorities found traces of blood and signs of a struggle several meters from the shore, suggesting that the crime began there.

According to Tamor, the area where the altercation took place was left in disarray and soaked with water, as Joylen had been carrying a gallon of water that spilled during the struggle.

Bloodstains were also found in the vicinity, believed to have come from Joylen’s body. After her death, she was taken to the coconut area by the shore and set on fire by the suspect.
However, Joylen’s body was not completely burned, prompting Lentejas to dismember her and dispose of the remains in the sea.

The sack containing her remains was discovered by a fisherman early in the morning on March 2.

Prior to this horrifying incident, suspicions were raised about Lentejas’ involvement when a wet cloth, suspected to be worn by the suspect, was found near the burned area.

The suspect had been involved in an altercation with a female neighbor earlier on Friday morning, which led to his apprehension in a neighboring barangay.

Lentejas, who is now detained at the locked-up cell of Tarangnan MPS, denies any involvement in Joylen’s murder.

However, the police are preparing charges of murder against him based on the evidence gathered at the scene. (ROBERT DEJON)

MAASIN CITY-New voters in remote barangays of this city, including those with concerns that needed action by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), have expressed gratitude that the poll body went to their place to conduct registration and update records.

“I can sense their deep appreciation. Of course, for us, it was part of our service to bring the government closer to the people,” said Atty. Don Joshua Margate, city elections officer.

In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency, Margate stated that if an individual registrant had gone to the Comelec office located in the downtown area of Barangay Combado, they would have had to spend at least P120 on transportation alone, excluding expenses for meals and snacks.

On Feb. 24, Comelec personnel went to Barangay Lonoy, an upland community, for the first in a series of satellite registrations. People from the neighboring mountain barangays of Basak, Canjoum, and Tigbawan were also accommodated.

“Anindot nang programaha nga gisaka mi, gikalipay sa mga tawo,” said Celestino Laraga, Punong Barangay of Lonoy, when PIA asked for his reaction by phone. (The program is good, and it brings joy to the people.)

Aside from listing new voters, which totaled 41 for all four barangays, other services extended by the poll body included the transfer of registration, correction of entry, and reactivation of registration, Margate said.

When asked why Barangay Lonoy was selected as the pilot site out of more than 30 upland barangays in the city, Margate said the only consideration was that it was a catchment area for the three other barangays.

He said they would schedule going out for another satellite registration again in a place where people in nearby barangays can easily come, just like in Lonoy.

Aside from reaching out to far-flung communities, the Comelec will also hold a special registration next month for senior citizens, persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), persons with disabilities (PWDs), and grandparents. Margate shared this information.

The Comelec started continuing registration on Feb. 12 for next year’s local and national elections. As of the last count here in the city, there were already 243 new registrants, or those who shall turn 18 years old on the day of the elections next year, on May 12, 2025, based on their guidelines.

Comelec called on those living in the heart of the city, new voters, and those with other Comelec-related concerns to walk in at their office in Barangay Combado and have themselves registered until Sept. 30, 2024, so they can cast their votes for next year’s elections. (AAC/MMP/PIA Southern Leyte)

LLORENTE, Eastern Samar – The Department of Public Works and Highways Eastern Samar District Engineering Office (DPWH ESDEO) and Department of Agriculture (DA) has completed the farm-to-market road (FMR) of Sitio Kapatagan, Brgy. Antipolo, Llorente, Eastern Samar.

The project involved the construction of a two-lane concrete road with a length of 399 meters. The total appropriation for the project was P13,000,000 with a contract amount of P12,935,000 funded under DA FMR 2023.

The completion of the project has brought great relief to the residents of Sitio Kapatagan and nearby areas who were previously facing difficulties in transporting their farm products due to the lack of a proper road.

Edgardo Grafel, a resident farmer of Brgy. Antipolo, shared his thoughts on the impact of the project.

“Han una kay waray pa man kalsada dida hiton nga Sitio Kapatagan makuri an panara han mga produkto. Urog na adton mga humay nga gindadara nganhi han amon barangay pati ngadto han poblacion makuri an kuan kay nagsusuhol ngan mahal an pag-aaro yan mga nagho-howl [In the past, Sitio Kapatagan didn’t have a road, which made it difficult to transport farm products, particularly rice, to our barangay and to the poblacion. The hauling cost was expensive, making it challenging for the locals to transport their goods],” he said.

Grafel added that the project’s completion has not only eased transportation for the residents but has also improved the overall quality of life in the area.

“ Maupay na itond mga kamutangan hit parag-uma didto ha kapatagan kay dara nga mayda na kalsada, nadederisto na it mga sasakyan ngadto ngan yadto na it mga produkto dada-a hiton ligid hit kalsada harani na iton pagdara ngan diri na madalunot iton dalan [Things have improved in Sitio Kapatagan since the road has been paved. Vehicles can now easily reach the area, and farm products can be transported more efficiently. The road is no longer slippery, making it safer for people and vehicles to travel],” said Grafel.

Meanwhile, District Engineer Domcelio M. Natividad also said that the road will provide ease of transportation for the residents and contribute to the area’s economic growth.
“We are proud to have been a part of this initiative, and we hope that it will continue to benefit the people of Brgy. Antipolo and nearby areas for years to come,” said DE Natividad.

The FMR project was started on May 16, 2023 and slated to be completed on August 19, 2023.
(DPWH EASTERN SAMAR/PR)

No. 1 regional priority target of PNP

ORMOC CITY– Operatives of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP-8) conducted a buy-bust operation on Sunday (March 3) in Purok 4, Barangay Bagong Buhay, Bliss, this city, at about 11:48 am which resulted in the death of the suspect and the recovery of suspected shabu valued at P204,000 weighing 30 grams.

The primary suspect, identified as Sonny Aldemia, of legal age, engaged in a drug transaction with an operative, during which one bulk sachet containing white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu, procured for P30,000, was seized.

Following the transaction, upon sensing the presence of arresting officers, Aldemia fled into his residence, brandishing a firearm and firing towards the operating team.
In response, the team returned fire.

Despite being wounded, Aldemia was transported by the operating team to Ormoc District Hospital for medical intervention but was pronounced dead on arrival by attending physicians.

The Ormoc City rescue group was promptly notified to process the crime scene.
During the examination, one sachet containing suspected shabu weighing approximately six grams, purchased for P30,000, was recovered, along with a .38 revolver lacking a serial number, loaded with three live rounds, two fired cartridge cases, eighteen fired cartridges, and thirteen aluminum foil strips.

Further examination of Aldemia’s body at the hospital led to the discovery of 14 sachets containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu.
The victim’s remains were conveyed to a local funeral parlor for further procedures.
(ROBERT DEJON)