MACTAN, Cebu– Information center managers of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in the Visayas were given marching orders to double their efforts in spreading relevant, fact-based information surrounding the nation’s claims to the West Philippine Sea.

“We have an obligation to tell the Filipino people the truth about what is happening in the West Philippine Sea. Each of us has a stake. We have a right to know,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), told PIA information officers who gathered in Lapu-Lapu City this week.

Lapu-Lapu City was selected as the venue of the Visayas leg of the strategic communications planning workshop of the PIA and the NTF-WPS as it perfectly symbolizes the nation’s fight for sovereignty when Cebuano warriors successfully repelled foreign invaders on the shores of Mactan Island.

Tarriela said the Coast Guard partnered with PIA to reach a broader and more diverse audience, especially in rural communities that are no longer reached by traditional TV signals but still have access to transistor radios and cell phones to get information.

“China has stepped up its misinformation campaign; that is why we tied up with PIA. Our stories are founded on truth. We never make up stories—we back these up with images and videos,” Tarriela emphasized in his discussion on the Philippines’ measured transparency strategy.

He said the transparency strategy began in February last year when former General Eduardo Año became the National Security Adviser.

“We started publishing aggressive actions by China. To oppose, we need to expose,” Tarriela declared, adding that with this countermeasure, more Filipinos now appreciate the government’s efforts.

PIA Director-General Jose A. Torres Jr. stressed that everyone is affected by the West Philippine Sea (WPS) because the area is very much a part of Philippine territory.
“Hindi puwedeng hindi tayo makialam sa ating teritoryo. Kumbinsihin natin mga kapitbahay, tindero, tindera, ang komunidad na magkaroon ng lakas ng loob na i-claim yung atin,” Torres said.

(We should get involved. Let us convince our neighbors, storekeepers, and the community to courageously claim what is ours.)

During an open forum, one of the participants shared a college student’s comment that there are more pressing issues, such as high food prices and hunger, that should be prioritized over the WPS issue. In response, Tarriela emphasized that the WPS issue is also important. .

“It is a disconnect. Many of our national heroes have died defending the country. Bansa ang pinag-uusapan natin dito, hindi ang pangangailangan ng individual need,” Tarriela said.

(It is a disconnect. Many of our national heroes have died defending the country. We are talking about the collective welfare of the country, not individual needs.)
(MMP, PIA Southern Leyte)

ORMOC CITY-A senior citizen was arrested by the local police of Almeria, Biliran after the court issued a warrant of arrest against him last April 3.

The accused, a resident of Barangay Poblacion of said town, was identified as a certain Jimmy, 67, and jobless.

The accused was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Luz Petilla Navarrete, executive judge of the 8th Judicial Region, Regional Trial Court- Branch 16 based in Naval, Biliran, dated March 12, 2024 for the crime of grave threats.

The court, however, recommended a bail of P10,000 for the temporary release of the accused. (ROBERT DEJON)

In Ormoc City

ORMOC CITY-A 16-year-old girl apprehended during a buy-bust operation was handed over to the City Social Welfare Department (CSWD) after her mother provided her birth certificate, attesting her being a minor.

The arrest occurred following a drug transaction with an undercover police officer on April 10, 2024, in Sitio Tabugokon, Barangay Lilo-an, this city.

During a brief interaction with the media, the minor asserted her age, prompting the police to request her mother’s presence and proof of her birth.

The teenager, a resident of Brgy. Liloan’s Tzu Chi village, admitted her involvement in drug distribution and use, revealing her supplier’s identity.

She claimed to financially support her mother with earnings from drug sales and expressed her choice to live separately from her family.

Her arrest followed police investigations linking her to drug trafficking, initiated after a couple’s apprehension earlier the same day for drug-related offenses.

Police Major Omar Roel Cartalla, chief of police station 3, confirmed the minor’s custody under CSWD care, pending evaluation of her criminal responsibility. (ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

ORMOC CITY-A senior citizen is presently languishing at the detention cell of the local police station after he was arrested in his residence in Barangay Hacienda Enaje, Kawayan, Biliran at around 4:20 pm on Wednesday (April 10).

The accused was identified as Juanito Antor, 64, and is listed as the top 9 most wanted person in Biliran.

The accused was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Luz Petilla -Navarette, executive judge of the 8th Judicial Region, Branch 16, based in Naval, Biliran, dated March 14, 2024, for two counts of statutory rape (2 Counts).

The court did not recommend bail to the accused.

The arrested accused was informed of the nature of his arrest and was apprised of his constitutional rights in a dialect known to him and subsequently brought to Kawayan municipal police office for documentation and proper disposition before returning him to the court that issued the warrant of arrest. (ROBERT DEJON)