ORMOC CITY-A combined police force operation arrested a wanted individual at approximately 7:30 am on Thursday, July 25, in Barangay San Lorenzo, Kawayan, Biliran.
The accused, identified as “Fiel,” 60, married, and a farmer, resides in Brgy. Villa Cornejo of the said town.

The arrest was made by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Luz Petilla-Navarrete, executive judge of the 8th Judicial Region, Branch 16, Naval, Biliran, for the crime of frustrated homicide.

The court has recommended a bail of P24,000 for his temporary liberty.

Following the arrest, the accused was taken to the Kawayan municipal police station for proper disposition before being presented to the court that issued the warrant.
(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – An alleged top leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a clash with government forces in the hinterlands of Barangay Osmeña, General MacArthur, Eastern Samar, on Thursday, July 25.

The 78th Infantry Battalion (IB), under the operational control of the 802nd Infantry Brigade (802IBd), identified the slain rebel as Joel Guarino, alias Duran, the squad leader of Squad 2 of the recently dismantled Apoy Platoon.

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Bugaoan, the commander of the 78IB, said that around seven NPA members were involved in the firefight that occurred at about 9:45 am Thursday.
His troops were conducting development and security operations in the upland village of Osmena, General MacArthur when the clash occurred, lasting about 20 minutes.
No military personnel were reported injured.

Bugaoan said that soldiers recovered several war paraphernalia from the enemy, including one caliber .45 pistol, one homemade grenade, various war materials, and other subversive documents with high intelligence value.

Bugaoan attributed the successful operation to the collective effort of the community and the government to end the local communist armed conflict.

“The people tipped off the presence of these NPAs, allowing our soldiers to track their movements. However, the rebels fired upon the troops when they saw them approaching,” he said.

Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, the brigade commander of 802IBde, commended the troops for tracking the remnants of the recently dismantled Apoy Platoon, highlighting the significance of this successful operation.

“The neutralization of Guarino has left the remnants of the Apoy Platoon leaderless and directionless. Now, they are just a roving band of bandits, hiding in the mountains to survive,” Vestuir said in a statement.

Vestuir added that this operation is a breakthrough in the Brigade’s campaign to win peace in Eastern Samar.

He called on the remaining NPA members to abandon the armed struggle now that their leader is gone.

“I reiterate my call to the remaining NPAs in the islands of Samar and Leyte to peacefully abandon the armed struggle. The communities no longer support or welcome you. Do not wait to experience the same fate as your comrade today. The path of peace is ready to embrace you,” Vestuir said.(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY – At least eight people were confirmed dead and approximately 866,483 individuals, or 179,744 families, were affected across the Philippines after three weather disturbances hit the country starting Tuesday, July 23.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the combined forces of Super Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi), Tropical Depression Butchoy, and the southwest monsoon brought torrential rains, resulting in massive flooding in 642 villages across Mindanao and Luzon, particularly the National Capital Region (NCR).
On Thursday, July 24, residents in Manila woke up to knee-to-wrist-deep floods as the weather bureau raised the red warning level due to intense rainfall enhanced by the two cyclones.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered all concerned government agencies to provide swift assistance to those affected by Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon. He emphasized the need for prompt and effective support to assess the current situation and ensure all necessary aid is provided.

In a statement, the government announced it had already distributed assistance totaling P43.15 million to the affected population in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, numbering more than 770,000.

On his official X account (formerly Twitter) on July 23, President Marcos stated that there is still P2.88 billion worth of prepositioned aid and nearly 4,500 personnel on standby for search, rescue, and retrieval operations.

Malacañang Palace also suspended classes at all levels in public and private schools and work in government offices in the NCR.

The adverse weather conditions led to the cancellation of at least 53 flights on the afternoon of July 24, as announced by the Manila International Airport Authority.
In Metro Manila, floods blocked major roads, leaving commuters stranded. Many shared photos of their ordeal on social media while wading through the floodwaters, as public utility vehicles were scarce on July 24.

The extensive flooding prompted the Quezon City Traffic and Transport Management Department to advise motorists to use alternate routes. They also urged nearly three million residents to “stay at home for your safety if there are no important matters to attend to and avoid inconvenience.”

Local officials reminded flood evacuees to bring their pets to evacuation centers.
(RONALD O. REYES)