TACLOBAN CITY — Four former members and supporters of the New People’s Army(NPA) have surrendered to authorities in Eastern Visayas, with one of them turning over a .38-caliber revolver with a defaced serial number, police said.

The four separate surrender incidents took place in Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar on July 18 and 19, according to the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO-8).

The surrenderers were identified only by their aliases as “Reynel,” a former CTG member from Northern Samar; “Jacob,” a former member of an Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) in Samar; “Abner,” a former Yunit Militia member from Eastern Samar; and “Julius,” a former Militia ng Bayan/Yunit Militia member from the same province.

PRO-8 said the surrender efforts were facilitated through sustained intelligence gathering, community engagement and negotiations by personnel of the 801st, 802nd and 804th Maneuver Companies of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-8 (RMFB-8), together with the 1st Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company.

During his surrender, alias “Julius” voluntarily handed over a .38-caliber revolver with a defaced serial number, which was taken into police custody for proper disposition.
PRO-8 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy praised the police units involved, saying the latest surrenderers reflected the continuing efforts of authorities and communities to encourage individuals involved with armed groups to abandon the armed struggle and return to civilian life.

“These voluntary surrenders reflect the effectiveness of our intensified operations and sustained community engagement. We will continue working with our partner agencies and local communities to encourage more individuals to abandon armed struggle, return to the fold of the law, and support the government’s peace and development agenda,” Capoy said.
The four surrenderers are currently under the custody of the concerned operating units for documentation, disposition and assessment for possible enrollment in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

The program provides assistance and reintegration support to former rebels and other individuals who abandon armed struggle and return to mainstream society.
PRO-8 said it would continue to strengthen peace and security efforts in Eastern Visayas through law enforcement, community engagement and support for government reintegration programs.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is prepared to face allegations linked to the controversial flood-control projects and has no intention of leaving the country, a senior official of his congressional office said.

The official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly, dismissed reports that Romualdez was planning to leave the Philippines amid the controversy surrounding the former House Speaker.

“That is unfair to him. He has never ever thought of absconding from the country,” the official said.

He said Romualdez had previously had opportunities to travel abroad, including when his daughter graduated from college, but did not leave the country to evade any issue.
“He is willing to face the allegations against him. That is how far we know him. He will answer all these unfounded allegations,” the official said.

Romualdez’s lawyer, Atty. Elaine Atienza, earlier said the congressman would respond to any formal proceedings through the proper legal institutions rather than engage in speculation or public rumor.

“Representative Martin Romualdez welcomes scrutiny. And he is prepared to answer it,” Atienza said.

She said Romualdez had consistently adhered to the rule of law and was ready to address any issues through the country’s legal institutions.

“Flight has always belonged to shadows. Romualdez has always followed the rule of law. He is willing to stand in the light,” she said.

Atienza also stressed that allegations should be resolved through due process and not through public opinion.

“In the end, every allegation against him must find its measure not in public sentiment, but in the quiet discipline of due process,” she said.

The statements came amid public discussions surrounding allegations against Romualdez in connection with the flood-control project controversy. No formal proceedings against the lawmaker were cited in the statements.

Despite the controversy, Romualdez’s congressional office in Tacloban City continues to operate and attend to requests from constituents in Leyte’s First Congressional District, which includes Tacloban City and the municipalities of Alangalang, Babatngon, Palo, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Tanauan and Tolosa.

The aide said Romualdez had instructed his staff to continue serving constituents, particularly those seeking medical and scholarship assistance.

“His instruction to us is to keep our office going by attending to the needs and requests of the people of the first district of Leyte,” he said.

(JOEY A. GABIETA, LIZBETH A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY-Consumers, particularly parents, are being urged to exercise caution when buying trendy squeezy dumpling toys that resemble steamed buns after a toxics watchdog raised concerns over possible chemical risks linked to the products.

BAN Toxics issued the alert after the toys, which have recently gained popularity online, became widely available in retail stores and online shopping platforms.

The food-like toys come in various sizes and colors, with some variants containing glitter. They are sold for about P65 to P120 in retail stores and P55 to P155 on online shopping platforms.

The consumer group said the warning was prompted by a product recall issued by the United Kingdom government in June over squeezy dumpling toys found to contain excessive concentrations of benzene.

Citing the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards, BAN Toxics said the recalled product posed a serious chemical risk because its outer layer contained 20 milligrams of benzene per kilogram.

Exposure to benzene may cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, while exposure to large amounts may result in a burning sensation in the digestive tract and skin irritation, the group said.

The World Health Organization has also linked human exposure to benzene to various acute and long-term adverse health effects, including cancer and blood-related disorders.

“Children tend to put toys in their mouths. Food-like squeezy dumpling toys may appear harmless and playful, yet they may contain chemicals that pose risks to a child’s health and development,” said Thony Dizon, advocacy and campaign officer of BAN Toxics.

Dizon said such products may also violate existing toy safety standards in the Philippines.
Under Republic Act No. 10620, or the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013, all toys and games sold, distributed, donated, imported or manufactured in the country must comply with applicable toy safety and labeling requirements under the Philippine National Standards.

The law’s implementing rules and regulations designate the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Trade and Industry as the primary agencies responsible for enforcing toy safety requirements.

The FDA, with assistance from the DTI and other concerned agencies, is tasked with conducting inspections, monitoring establishments, conducting market surveillance and collecting product samples to determine compliance.

BAN Toxics called on the FDA, DTI and local government units to conduct post-marketing surveillance and enforcement operations against potentially unsafe squeezy dumpling toys.
The group also urged authorities to issue public health advisories and implement appropriate measures, including product recalls, if violations are confirmed.

BAN Toxics reminded parents and consumers to read product information and check for required safety labeling before buying toys.

It also advised consumers to choose toys appropriate for a child’s age and developmental abilities, avoid products with strong chemical odors and exercise caution with toys that may contain potentially harmful substances in their colors, materials or components.
Consumers may also check toys and childcare articles through the FDA Verification Portal for relevant public health advisories before purchasing.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY — A false alarm of a possible shooting sent students scrambling out of the San Jose National High School here on Friday, July 24, prompting school officials to cancel afternoon classes and underscoring the lingering trauma from a deadly shooting at the campus last month.

The commotion began after loud shouts and banging sounds were heard from the Grade 12 building, where students were conducting an English class activity.

According to information gathered by Leyte Samar Daily Express, a teacher asked a student to sing in front of the class. While singing, the student invited his girlfriend to join him, exciting the rest of the class. Some students began banging their chairs, creating a loud noise that was mistaken by students in a nearby building for gunfire.

Panic quickly spread as students ran out of their classrooms and attempted to leave the school premises.

Several students suffered wounds on their knees and hands after stumbling during the rush.

Others reportedly experienced hyperventilation and shock and were taken out of the campus in ambulances provided by the city government.

A Grade 10 student said she heard students screaming as they ran from their classrooms.
“This made us scared and panicked. At first, we tried to stay inside, but when we saw other students panicking and shouting, we decided to leave our room,” she said.

She was later found outside the school gate with her classmates, with wounds on her knees and hands.

Parent Eva Solayao said she rushed to the school after learning about the incident to fetch her Grade 9 daughter, who suffered wounds on both knees during the stampede.
“She told me that they forced the gate open to get out,” Solayao said.

Solayao said her daughter was still traumatized by the June 22 shooting at the same school, where she saw one of her classmates being shot.

“She saw her classmate being shot by the suspect, and until now, she is still traumatized,” Solayao said.

Another parent, Russel Balais, also hurried to the school after learning about the latest incident to fetch her Grade 7 son.

“I hurried here when I learned that there was another incident at the school. My son was still in his classroom when I picked him up,” Balais said.

The parents said the panic among the students was understandable given the trauma caused by the June 22 shooting, which left three students dead and 20 others wounded.
The incident occurred less than a month after the school had been placed under heightened security following the deadly attack. The school has about 1,500 students and more than 100 personnel.

One of the suspects, a 15-year-old student, is facing three counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder and multiple counts of physical injuries in connection with the June 22 shooting.

Police were investigating the latest incident, while school authorities and local officials responded to the panic and assisted students who were injured or suffered distress during the rush to leave the campus.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)