ORMOC CITY-The local authorities in Borongan City are currently conducting their thorough investigation following the discovery of a minor girl’s body in a shallow grave in the mountainous area of Barangay Balacdas on the afternoon of Tuesday (April 2).
Identified as Hazel Bao, 14, the victim was described as having a boyish appearance and was a student residing in the said village.
According to police reports, at approximately 2:15 pm on that day, the victim’s grandmother, accompanied by the barangay chairman of Balacdas, personally visited the local police station to report the discovery of a deceased individual in the mountainous region of their barangay.
Responding promptly, the local police, along with personnel from the Eastern Samar Provincial Forensic Unit, proceeded to the site to conduct investigations and process the scene.
Upon arrival, forensic personnel excavated a shallow grave, revealing a portion of a lifeless body protruding.
The victim was identified by her grandmother based on her clothing and a cellular phone found in her left pocket. Reportedly missing since March 15, the victim’s disappearance had caused concern among the community. (ROBERT DEJON)
ORMOC CITY– In a successful operation on Tuesday (April 2), the joint forces of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of Southern Leyte Provincial Police Office and the City Drug Enforcement Team of Maasin city police apprehended one of the top targets in Eastern Visayas.
The suspect, identified as Luke Marjoe Eco Desvarro, 32, and a resident of Barangay Bato II, Maasin City was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Dongon, also in the same city.
Lt. Col. Jason Balbarona, city police chief, confirmed Desvarro’s status as a high-value individual, ranking sixth on the PNP’s Top 10 regional priority target list.
Recovered from him were five sachets containing white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu, with a street value of P10,000.
Desvarro was duly informed of the nature of his arrest and his constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine, ensuring comprehension in a language he understood.
Charges of violation of section 5 (Selling illegal drugs) of Article II of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Drugs of 2002, have been filed against the suspect who is currently held in temporary detention at the locked-up cell of the Maasin city police office.(ROBERT DEJON)
ORMOC CITY-The local authorities are currently conducting a comprehensive investigation into the untimely demise of a laborer discovered lifeless inside his residence around 4:10 pm on Tuesday(April 2) at Sitio Queromar, Barangay Libtong, San Miguel, Leyte.
San Miguel chief of police Major Ronald Espina identified the victim as Eduardo Martija, 52, and resident of the said village.
According to Police Major Espina, at approximately 4:20 pm on that day, village chairman Norman Neil Martija contacted local law enforcement via phone to report the discovery of a deceased individual in his barangay.
Promptly responding to the call, the local police, led by PMajor Espina, along with rescuers of the municipal disaster risk reduction management office, immediately proceeded to the reported location to verify the information. Upon arrival, they found the victim lying lifeless in his bed, he added.
PMajor Espina elaborated that initial investigations indicated that around 3 pm on the same day, the victim’s mother visited his residence.
Upon finding the door closed, she sought the assistance of a neighbor to forcibly open a bedroom window, gaining entry to the house. To her shock, she discovered her son was already dead.
The victim’s remains were transferred to Carigara District Hospital for a post-mortem examination. (ROBERT DEJON)
TACLOBAN CITY – The health office of this city reported that it has not monitored any pertussis cases though it has taken some preventive steps to prevent any possible spread of the virus.
This was disclosed by Dr. Gloria Fabrigas, assistant health officer of the City Health Office (CHO) who said that they have initiated meetings with healthcare workers regarding triaging protocols in the event that cases arise.
But the regional office of the Department of Health has reported onFriday(April 5) of six cases of pertussis in the city.
The CHO has also released an advisory in response to the rising pertussis and measles cases in the country outlining precautionary measures against these diseases.
Dr. Fabrigas acknowledged this concern and urged residents to have their children vaccinated once supplies become accessible, which is anticipated to be in June.
Despite the absence of reported cases, the public is still advised to adhere to precautionary measures such as the voluntary use of face masks, good hand hygiene, and staying home when sick.
“As of now, there’s no reason for panic. However, we cannot be complacent,” Dr. Fabrigas added, referring to how we can keep the situation under control.
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, poses a significant threat to vulnerable communities.
The infection spreads rapidly through person-to-person respiratory droplets, and can also be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces.
Its symptoms include a persistent cough that may last two or more weeks, a mild fever, and a runny nose.
The CHO urges parents and caregivers to seek immediate medical attention for suspected patients, as early treatment is most effective. (WILBEN SEBASTIAN ONG, STEFTI STUDENT INTERN)
HIGATANGAN FEELS. The municipal government of Naval in Biliran is gearing up for the annual Higatangan Island Summer Festival slated this weekend. The festival aims to draw more tourists to the island, one of the tourist attractions of the town. (LGU NAVAL)
TACLOBAN CITY – Higatangan Island in Naval, Biliran is gearing up for its annual summer festival this weekend, organized by the municipal government to bolster tourism activities on the island.
The Higatangan Island Summer Festival (HisFest), which commenced in 2017, stands as the premier summer event in Biliran province.
It is the brainchild of then Naval Mayor and current Governor Gerard Roger Espina, aimed at enhancing tourism activities both in the municipality and the province.
As part of Naval town’s preparations, Mayor Gretchen Espina highlighted the training provided to residents from two villages on the island who expressed interest in opening their doors and rooms to accommodate guests for homestay.
Last month, 15 household owners from Higatangan Island underwent a seven-day homestay training conducted by the Department of Tourism, alongside 11 homeowners from the island town of Maripipi.
Given the absence of accommodation facilities such as hotels and resorts, homestay plays a pivotal role in the country’s tourism industry, offering tourists an authentic experience of the locals’ culture, traditions, and way of life.
“We conducted homestay training in Higatangan to address the lack of accommodation facilities on the island,” Mayor Espina said.
While the island boasts several accommodation options, the current number of rooms remains insufficient to accommodate the influx of tourists expected during the summer festival.
For HisFest 2024, the LGU anticipates around 5,000 tourists and visitors from Biliran Island and neighboring provinces to partake in the various activities lined up for the two-day festival.
“Our primary goal is to persuade people to visit Higatangan even outside the summer festival, such as on weekdays or during regular weekends,” Mayor Espina emphasized.
Higatangan, an island under the jurisdiction of Naval town, comprises two villages – Mabini and Libertad, with a population of approximately 2,000 residents.
The island is renowned for its shifting sandbar, the only one in Biliran Island, the “Capilla del Mar,” an underwater chapel adorned with a 12-foot cross and eight benches representing the eight municipalities of the province, as well as a cliff diving spot and areas suitable for scuba diving.
Other activities available to tourists and visitors on the island include manta tow, cycling around the circumferential road, a trek to the lighthouse situated at the highest point of Higatangan, and watching the sunrise and sunset.
For this year’s HisFest, the LGU encourages guests and tourists to visit the LGU Naval Facebook account and download the online registration link, which provides event details and reminders.
Mayor Espina emphasized that registration assists in monitoring the number of tourists on the island during the two-day event and thereafter.
During a press conference on Wednesday(April 3) at the island, Governor Espina expressed gratitude to the local government for perpetuating the event and voiced hope for further improvements to attract more tourists to their town.
“This program is significant. Originally conceptualized as a one to two-day per year event, we aim to transform it into a daily basis attraction. We need to make this sustainable by empowering the locals, allowing them to host their own events, with the LGU’s support during the summer,” Gov. Espina stated.
The opening of HisFest 2024 is scheduled by the LGU this Friday, April 5, with the main events set from 6 to 7. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
NEW PNP CHIEF. General Rommel Francisco Marbil, the former police director of Eastern Visayas, is now the country’s top police officer after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. named him to the post. Photo shows Interior Sec. Benjamin Abalos joins Pres. Marcos during the ceremony on Monday (April 1). Story on Page 21. (RTVM)
NEW PNP CHIEF. General Rommel Francisco Marbil, the former police director of Eastern Visayas, is now the country’s top police officer after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. named him to the post. Photo shows Interior Sec. Benjamin Abalos joins Pres. Marcos during the ceremony on Monday (April 1). Story on Page 21. (RTVM)
Due to avian flu occurrence
TACLOBAN CITY – Several local government units in Leyte have implemented border controls to prevent the potential spread of avian flu following an outbreak at a poultry farm in Kananga town.
Among these municipalities are Palompon and Matag-ob, whose mayors have issued executive orders restricting the entry of chickens from Kananga.
Mayor Ramon Oñate of Palompon emphasized that by prohibiting chickens from Kananga, their town could avoid the avian flu outbreak.
Despite the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) assertion that the avian flu has been contained, Mayor Oñate expressed concern that it could still affect other areas like Palompon.
He commended Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia for imposing restrictions on chicken from Leyte to safeguard their own poultry industry.
Mayor Oñate also expressed disappointment with DA officials for not informing them about the avian flu outbreak, stating that they only learned of it through social media.
Oñate, who owns DBSN, the largest poultry farm in Eastern Visayas, culls about 50,000 chickens daily for commercial use.
On March 25, the DA confirmed the presence of avian flu in Leyte, particularly at the Leyte Poultry Development Corp., which was initially reported on March 12.
The management reported culling 60,000 chickens to contain the disease.
Meanwhile, Mayor Bernardino Tacoy of Matag-ob promptly issued an executive order barring the entry of chickens from Kananga and other areas upon confirmation of the avian flu outbreak by the DA.
Vaccination of chickens across the town will also be conducted to prevent the virus’s spread, as around 400 chickens from a local poultry farm reportedly died.
However, Tacoy stated that this remains suspect until inspections by the Provincial Veterinary Office are completed.
As part of the prohibition measures, even cockfighting activities in Matag-ob are indefinitely suspended. However, owners of live chickens with sanitary permits from their respective veterinary offices will be permitted entry.
Mayor Tacoy also owns a poultry farm, primarily for cockfighting purposes.
