TACLOBAN CITY– The Fishery Law Enforcement Team (FLET) has intensified its patrol of the city’s coastal waters with the help of the Philippine Army.
According to FLET Coordinator Felix Dumlao, the Joint Task Group Tacloban of the 8th Infantry Division, currently headquartered at the former Leyte Park Resort compound, has committed to helping them in the conduct of joint operations to ensure the enforcement of fishery laws and territorial security.
Recently, a representative of the Joint Task Force Tacloban under Deputy Commander LTC Celeste Frank L. Sayson of the Philippine Army made a courtesy visit to FLET for this purpose.
Dumlao said the army will serve as a force multiplier in their active enforcement of Ordinance Number 2016-12-09, which penalizes the use of prohibited fishing equipment, marine vessels with expired permits, and breaches of the city’s coastal waters by fishermen from outside of the city.
FLET, with the use of their floating assets, which consist of two motorized bancas, also safeguards the city’s only marine sanctuary on Dio Island.
Meanwhile, the FLET coordinator highlighted their ongoing initiative to register all fishing vessels three gross tons and below and reminded owners that they have until February 29 or they will be issued a citation ticket, or worse, face a legal sanction. (H.J.ROCA with reports from E. LAGAHIT/CIO)
TACLOBAN CITY – In honor of the gallantry of the fallen SAF troopers in Mamasapano nine years ago, the Police Regional Office 8, led by B/Gen. Reynaldo Pawid, paid tribute to their supreme sacrifice during the “Day of National Remembrance for the Heroic Sacrifice of SAF 44”, during a simple program held at the PRO 8 Bantayog ng mga Bayaning Tagapamayapa on Thursday (Jan.25).
Among the 44 SAF troopers who were killed, six of them were from the region: PO3 John Lloyd Sumbilla; PO2 Rodel Ramacula; PO2 Glenn Berecio Bedua; PO2 Noel Balaca; PO1 Joseph Sagonoy; and PO1 Mark Lory Clemencio.
In 2015, the 44 elite members of the police force were deployed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao to arrest Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, who was also known as Marwan.
The Memorial Day celebration was graced by M/Gen. Leo Francisco, the director for operations, with the loved ones of the SAF 44, also in attendance.
In a message from the PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr., M/Gen. Francisco cited that the incident is a stark reminder of the daily challenges faced by law enforcement officers, highlighting the sacrifices of fallen heroes in protecting the nation.
“May their sacrifice serve as a challenge to us all. A challenge to continue their heroism, to embody greatness, and to act with honor and love for our country. May their memory serve as an inspiration for us to continue advocating for justice and peace in our nation,” he said.
The police officer also emphasized the importance of unity, coordination, and effective communication for national security. Likewise encouraging the police force to renew its commitment to strengthen law enforcement agencies, enhance operational capabilities, and ensure support in carrying out crucial missions.
Meanwhile, Pawid gave his assurance that PRO 8 will continuously rally for peace, further strengthening its offenses and defenses against the enemies. He also cited that the entire Philippine National Police and the public will continue to remember their gallantry.
“Their lives were far too brief, but they have lived a meaningful one. In the name of service and love for the country, they have made the greatest sacrifice- fallen but not forgotten,” he stated. (LIZBETH A. ABELLA)
A manhunt has been launched to recapture Arjil Alano,26, who bolted on Monday(Jan.22) from his detention at the sub-provincial jail in Allen, Northern Samar.
(ALLEN MPS)
ORMOC CITY– An inmate charged with rape bolts from detention in a sub-provincial jail in Allen, Northern Samar on Monday (Jan.22) afternoon.
A manhunt has been launched to recapture Arjil Alano,26, who bolted on Monday(Jan.22) from his detention at the sub-provincial jail in Allen, Northern Samar. (ALLEN MPS)
The prisoner, Arjil Alano, 26, and a resident of Lavezares, also in Northern Samar, managed to escape from the jail facility at about 5:30 pm while fetching water, the local police said.
Based on the investigation conducted by the local police, Alano was among the detainees of said sub-provincial jail who were tasked with fetching water a couple of meters near the said facility.
The police said that the duty provincial guards on duty discovered that the said person deprived of liberty was missing when he failed to return after a few minutes.
The duty guards immediately looked for him but their efforts proved futile prompting them to consider that he had bolted the jail and escaped.
Duty building guard, Arnel Policarpio Jr., admitted that they failed to report the incident right away, considering that they first exerted effort to locate the Alano and extended their search to the nearest municipality for possible arrest of the escapee.
The Allen police had appealed to the public to call their station (09164742061) for any information that would lead to the arrest of the inmate. (ROBERT DEJON).
ORMOC CITY– An employee of the city government in Maasin City was shot dead on Tuesday (Jan.23) by a still unidentified suspect.
Maasin CPS Chief Police Lt. Col. Jason Balbarona identified the victim as Marlon Gaviola, 49, married, who worked as a ticket checker and assigned at the city’s wet market was shot dead at about 7:45 pm in Barangay Combado of the said city.
Balbarona said that a food delivery rider informed their office that a shooting incident has transpired in Brgy. Combado. Acting on the said report the local police immediately responded to the area to verify the report and to conduct an investigation.
Upon arrival in the area, the local police added that they found the victim lying in the pavement in a pool of blood from multiple gunshot wounds.
Initial investigation conducted by responding police disclosed that the victim was having a phone conversation when the suspect on board of single motorcycle pulled over and without any provocation shot him several times causing his instantaneous death.
After shooting the victim, the culprit sped off towards the direction of Espina Blvd. in Brgy. Tunga-tunga of this city.
Recovered from the crime were four deformed slugs and eight pieces of fired cartridge shells of caliber 45 pistol.
The police said that on December 2, 2014, the victim was involved with homicide and was also involved on the same day of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide after a vehicular incident.
The victim, however, was released from imprisonment after the families of his victim withdrew their cases against him. He was also involved in illegal cockfighting and was charged for violation of PD 449 on June 17, 2021, and was set to be charged of raping a minor before he was gunned down. (ROBERT DEJON)
The Department of Public Works and Highways Eastern Samar District Engineering Office turned over the newly completed school building to Cantahay Elementary School in Guiuan, Eastern Samar on January 24, 2024. The turn-over ceremony was attended by OIC-Assistant District Engineer Chito Nelson Eusores, and project engineer Roderick Floria, among others. (DPWH-ESDEO)
The Department of Public Works and Highways Eastern Samar District Engineering Office turned over the newly completed school building to Cantahay Elementary School in Guiuan, Eastern Samar on January 24, 2024. The turn-over ceremony was attended by OIC-Assistant District Engineer Chito Nelson Eusores, and project engineer Roderick Floria, among others. (DPWH-ESDEO)
BORONGAN CITY-Department of Public Works and Highways Eastern Samar District Engineering Office (DPWH ESDEO) turned over the newly completed one-storey, two-classroom school building to Cantahay Elementary School, Guiuan, Eastern Samar on January 24, 2024.
The turn-over ceremony was attended by OIC-Assistant District Engineer Chito Nelson Eusores, Project Engineer Roderick Floria, and other staff from DPWH ESDEO.
Also present are the teachers and staff of Cantahay Elementary School with the school principal Jose Abrajano in attendance.
The newly completed project is a convergence effort between DPWH and the Department of Education (DepEd), with an allocation of P5,850,750.00.
The project started on August 15, 2023, and was completed on December 26, 2023.
Assistant District Engineer Chito Nelson Eusores mentioned that the newly completed school building features two classrooms, a reinforced concrete gutter, a handwashing area, a PWD ramp, a comfort room at each classroom, and other scope of works.
“It is our goal to provide quality infrastructure that will benefit the people, especially the students who are the future of our nation. This project is an indication of the government’s commitment to education and infrastructure development,” said Engr. Eusores.
Also, the assistant district engineer gave assurance that the construction of this project was done in conformance with DPWH standards and specifications.
During the turnover ceremony, school principal Abrajano expressed his happiness with the project, stating that the building will provide a conducive learning environment for grade one and grade two pupils.
“We are very pleased with the new project because it is more spacious than the previous one, and it has complete amenities such as the availability of comfort rooms and handwashing area to ensure the safety and convenience of our school children,” he said.
He mentioned that the former building was no longer safe for pupils due to overcrowding, and deteriorated door and window jambs.
“The design of this new building, along with the diligent supervision provided by the DPWH, ensures its sturdiness. Apart from being a learning facility, we can also offer this building to the barangay as an evacuation center during typhoons and calamities,” added Abrajano.
The turnover ceremony included a ribbon-cutting, handing of the symbolic key, and blessing of the new school building. The completion of this project is a significant step towards improving the quality education and infrastructure development in Eastern Samar. (PR)
After the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed a storm of uncertainty and upheaval worldwide, people are now pondering the current status of the virus. Numerous pressing questions have emerged, centered on topics such as virus mutations, vaccine efficacy, the potential for another wave of infections, and the possibility that said pandemic was merely a hoax.
The assertion that COVID-19 is a hoax is said to be unfounded and contradicted by overwhelming scientific evidence and the experiences of millions worldwide. The virus, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has led to a global pandemic with severe health, economic, and social consequences. Scientists and health professionals worldwide have extensively studied and documented the virus’s characteristics, transmission patterns, and impact on individuals. The existence of COVID-19 accordingly is not a matter of opinion but a scientifically validated fact.
Conspiracy theories suggesting that COVID-19 is a hoax have been debunked by experts in virology, epidemiology, and public health. The virus has led to widespread illness, hospitalizations, and deaths, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. The global response, including the development and distribution of vaccines, would be an extraordinary and unnecessary effort if the virus were a hoax. Countless medical professionals, researchers, and public health officials have dedicated their efforts to understanding and combating the virus, providing further evidence of its real and substantial impact on societies worldwide.
Dismissing COVID-19 as a hoax undermined the collective efforts to control the pandemic, promote public health, and save lives. Such misinformation contributed to vaccine hesitancy, disregard for public health guidelines, and increased risk of virus transmission. Acknowledging the reality of COVID-19 was crucial for informed decision-making and effective public health measures. The overwhelming scientific evidence and the widespread impact of COVID-19 affirm its existence and refute any claims that it was a hoax. Addressing the pandemic required a united front based on scientific knowledge, public health measures, and global cooperation.
Anyway, even Christ himself confirmed in the Bible that towards the last days, “…there shall be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in diverse places”. Pestilence, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is a contagious or infectious epidemic that is virulent and devastating. We can only hope that it was nothing but a nightmarish dream.
