TACLOBAN CITY – To help address persistent water supply challenges across Northern Samar, Mindanao-based Hanabana Water Supply Corporation has conducted site inspections and coordination meetings in eight municipalities as part of a potential partnership for localized water development initiatives.

The company’s assessment covered three clusters: Laoang, Catubig, and Palapag in the Pacific Area; Catarman, Bobon, and Mondragon in the Central Area; and Allen and Victoria in the Balicuatro Area.

Among the areas visited, Laoang was found to be the most in need, with its local water district declared non-functional. The local government unit has since taken over water services but currently supplies only around 400 households. To address the shortfall, officials are considering sourcing water from neighboring towns such as Palapag or Las Navas.

In the Central Area, Catarman’s water district is currently undergoing improvements to its filtration and distribution systems following persistent service issues.

Meanwhile, the towns of Bobon and Mondragon—though not facing immediate shortages—expressed strong interest in collaboration due to rising demand, population growth, and concerns over dwindling water sources.

In the Balicuatro Area, the municipalities of Allen and Victoria also welcomed the possibility of partnering with Hanabana, citing the region’s expected surge in commercial and business development.

Hanabana is scheduled to return in August to present formal, site-specific proposals based on further feasibility studies and technical assessments. To support the development of these proposals, the company has requested the submission of GPS coordinates, photographs, and videos of potential water sources from the involved LGUs.

The Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office has pledged its support for the initiative, underscoring the importance of sustainable water infrastructure in advancing local development, public health, and economic resilience.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– A newly identified drug personality classified as a street-level individual (SLI) was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of the Carigara Municipal Police Station on Tuesday, June 17, at around 4:18 p.m. in Barangay Barugohay Norte, Carigara, Leyte.

Carigara Chief of Police Major Reymund Quinagutan identified the suspect as alias “Leslie,” married, unemployed, and a resident of Barangay Sawang.

During the operation, one sachet containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu was sold to a police poseur-buyer for P500. Following the suspect’s arrest, a body search—conducted in the presence of witnesses as required by law—led to the discovery of seven more sachets of suspected shabu hidden inside a coin purse.

Police estimated the total weight of the seized suspected shabu at 0.79 grams, with an approximate street value of P5,372.00.

The suspect was properly informed of the charges and his constitutional rights in a language he understood, police added.

Criminal charges for violations of Sections 5 (sale) and 11 (possession) of Article II of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have already been filed with the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY – A construction worker was shot dead by an unidentified gunman in Barangay Sherwood, Albuera, Leyte, in a broad daylight attack on Thursday morning, June 26.

The victim, known only by his alias “Pedro,” was a resident of the area. According to initial police reports, he had just dropped off his children at school in nearby Barangay Siginon and was on his way home when he was ambushed.

While riding his motorcycle through a secluded part of the barangay around 7:30 a.m., the victim was approached from behind by a motorcycle-riding assailant who fired multiple shots without warning.

The gunman used an unidentified caliber of firearm and fled the scene immediately after the attack.

The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died on the spot.

At approximately 8:10 a.m., the Albuera Municipal Police Station (MPS) received a report from the barangay captain of Sherwood. Responding officers found the victim’s lifeless body at the crime scene.

Police have launched a hot pursuit operation and coordinated with nearby stations for a dragnet to locate the suspect. The Ormoc City Forensic Unit (OCFU) was also called in to process the scene.

As of this writing, authorities have yet to determine the motive for the killing. Investigators are also gathering CCTV footage and eyewitness statements to aid in identifying the suspect.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

TACLOBAN CITY – At least alleged members of the New People’s Army or NPA were killed while several others have returned to the fold of the law following series of operations by government troops covering the months of May and June.

This was disclosed by the 8th Infantry Division (ID) which is under the command of Major General Adonis Ariel Orio.

Between May and June 2025, soldiers engaged in five armed encounters across Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar, recovering nine high-powered firearms, war materiel, and intelligence that led to the disruption of major NPA units, according to a report released Tuesday, June 24.

“We have dealt another significant blow to the communist terrorist group ranks,” Orio said in a statement issued on Tuesday, June 24. “This is all thanks to the invaluable cooperation of the residents of Eastern Visayas.”

Among the most significant incidents was the June 3 clash in Catubig, Northern Samar, which resulted in the death of five NPA fighters, including identified leaders Noel Lebico Sr., Arnel Aquino, and Nonoy Norcio. The military recovered a Squad Automatic Weapon, an M16 rifle, and an Uzi submachine gun from the site.

Earlier, on May 26, two members of the Sub-Regional Committee Sesame—known by their aliases Jud/Atom/Iso and Nadin/Brix/Arian—surrendered in Basey, Samar, and turned over an M4 A1 Carbine and an M16 rifle to the 63rd Infantry Battalion.

On June 2, alias In-In, the vice squad leader of the NPA’s Squad 1, Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit Arctic, operating in Northern Samar, also surrendered to the 20th Infantry Battalion. His surrender led to the recovery of four firearms, hand grenades, and medical supplies from a hidden arms cache. Another rebel, alias Bug-ot of the Regional Guerrilla Unit under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), yielded to authorities the same day.

Further operations on June 9 in San Jose de Buan, Samar, saw government troops engage 30 suspected members of the Yakal Platoon. They recovered four M16 rifles, a .45-caliber pistol, medical kits, and personal belongings.

The most recent firefight took place on June 15 in Barangay Pinanag-an, Borongan City, Eastern Samar, where rebel Jomar Discar (also known as Guimo/Bobby) was killed and an M653 rifle seized.

Maj. Gen. Orio emphasized that these victories bring the region closer to “the final lap” in its campaign to end the decades-long insurgency.

“We will not rest until the threat posed by communist terrorist groups is fully eradicated. We will scour every mountain to find them and put an irreversible end to their atrocities,” Orio vowed.

Despite the intensified combat operations, Orio reiterated that the government remains open to peaceful resolution, calling on remaining NPA fighters to surrender and avail of the national amnesty program.

“These doors are open—not just for laying down arms, but for building new lives,” he added.

(JOEY A. GABIETA/LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)