TACLOBAN CITY – The month-long intensified campaign against the New People’s Army (NPA) is gaining grounds in Eastern Visayas region, the Philippine Army reported on Monday.
Since the launching of the campaign last August 1, seven NPA lairs have been discovered with nine gun battles fought, resulting in the death of four armed rebels, the Army’s 8th Infantry Division (ID) said.
The military has also recovered 14 assorted firearms, 14 backpacks, and several magazines and ammunition.
“The government troops also suffered casualties because the NPAs used an improvised explosive device (IED), which is against the International Humanitarian Law (IHL). But despite the use of IEDs, the NPAs were forced to vacate their encampments and fled towards different directions to save their lives from the pursuing government troops,” said Major Bard Caesar Mazo, officer-in-charge of 8th ID’s public affairs office.
The military lauded residents for providing government troops with information. These informants decided to support government troops after suffering from extortion and forced collection of food by the jobless armed fighters, the military added.
The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
“Soldiers will never stop hunting the communist NPA terrorists. The NPAs can run but they cannot hide. Their best option is to return to the folds of the law and use the benefits being offered by the government under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to start new lives,” Mazo added.
Under E-CLIP, each former rebel is granted immediate assistance of P15,000 and livelihood assistance of P50,000. There are also other benefits specified in the E-CLIP implementing guidelines.
The 8th ID vowed to continue intensified combat operations to protect communities in the region through its more than 7,000 combat troops.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)

Heeding the order of Pres. Duterte

TACLOBAN CITY-At least three former inmates from the region who were earlier released under the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) personally turned themselves to police authorities.
On Monday (Sept.9) at about 10 am, Emiliano Mero, 72, surrendered to the police authorities in Tagapul-an town in Samar province while Pio Nabarquez,64, also turned himself to police authorities in Ormoc City on Wednesday (Sept.11) at about 2:15 pm.
Mero, of Barangay Mataluto of said town, was convicted of two counts of homicide and was previously detained at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City on May 18,2006.
On August 20,2019, he got his clearance for his release under GCTA.
Mero was supposed to serve up to 29 years but only served his sentence for just 13 years due to the GCTA he had obtained.
He was brought to an undisclosed hospital in Calbayog City for a medical checkup before his return to NBP, a police personnel of Tagapul-an, who declined to be named for not being authorized, said.
“According to him, he does not feel bad on this (directive of the President).Anyway, he said, in just few years, he would complete his prison sentence,” the police personnel, said in a private message through Facebook, referring to the reaction of Mero on his surrender.
Meantime, Nabarquez of Barangay San Pablo, Ormoc City personally appeared before the city’s station 1 office at around 2:15 pm on Wednesday, said station chief, Major Shebert Alvin Machete.
Nabarquez was convicted for the crime of rape and was sentenced for 30 years by a local court on July 14,1992.
He was released on June 10 of this year from his detention at the NBP.
“He said that he was just following the order of the President that is why, he personally surrendered. He will be brought to the Leyte Regional Penal Colony in Abuyog in Leyte before his return to the NBP,” Machete said in a phone interview.
The Leyte Regional Penal Colony is under the supervision of the Bureau of Corrections (Bucor).
Another inmate from the region who was also granted of GCTA surrendered before police authorities in San Isidro, Northern Samar.
Justiniano Gregorio, 68 of Barangay Pob Norte of said town, surrendered to local police authorities on Wednesday (Sept.11) at about 2:15 pm.
Reports reaching the regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police said that the inmate was detained at the Iwahig, Puerto Princesa in Palawan on September 30, 1991 after he was convicted of illegal possession of firearm and was to serve for a life term imprisonment.
However, he was released on February 20, 2019 after he availed the GCTA.
The inmate is now under the local police custody and will be turned over to Iwahig prison colony once all the needed documentations are completed.
Earlier, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte gave an ultimatum of 15 days for all prisoners released under GCTA to surrender or be considered as fugitives.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

MAASIN CITY- Several enlisted men in uniform of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from different stations of the province of Southern Leyte literally poured their blood out so that others, the dengue victims especially, can live longer.
On Monday, September 9, at least 50 policemen joined the mass bloodletting at the Southern Leyte Provincial Police Office (SLPPO) through nurses and medics of the local health station and the Red Cross.
“The activity was in line with the call from the regional office. But instead of bringing our officers there, I suggested we do it here, and it was approved,” said P/Col. Nelson Eucogco, provincial PNP director.
Among those who donated blood were elements from the SLPPO, the mobile group, and two volunteers each from the municipal and city police stations, including non-uniformed personnel.
The accumulated blood will be donated to patients suffering from dengue anywhere in the province, this is the police way of sharing and contributing something to cushion the ill effects of the epidemic, Eucogco added.
A member of the local media, Dahlia Orit of Radio Filipinas-DYSL, donated blood herself, her second donation.
Meanwhile, the number of dengue cases province-wide rose to 711 as of September 5, up from 437 last month, data from the Provincial Health Services Office showed.
(LDL/MMP/PIA-8, Southern Leyte)

PALO, Leyte – Philippine National Police Deputy Chief for Operations Police Brigadier General Archie Gamboa lead in the awarding of policemen and partners of the Police Regional Office 8 during the celebration of the 118th Police Service Anniversary at the Leyte Academic Center on Tuesday(Sept.10).
Gamboa was assisted by police regional director B/Gen. Dionardo Carlos in giving recognitions to the awardees.
Gamboa, in his message, lauded the PRO8 in its contributions to the program of the national government in the campaign against criminality, illegal logging, illegal fishing, campaign against illegal drugs and anti-insurgency.
“These and all other achievements that may not have been mention speak well of PRO8 capability and commitment to service. But more than anything, those you serve will inspire you to achieve even more, to lead as example to other region,” Gamboa said.
He also urged PRO8 personnel to continue in strengthening their fight against criminality, not only to serve as job of policemen but also as “a collective matter of national interest.”
Among the individuals awardees were Police Colonel Bowenn Joey Masauding as best senior PCO for administration; PCol Rolando Miranda, best senior PCO for operations; PLtCol Rodolfo Castro Jr,best junior PCO for administrations; PLt. Eladio Alo,best junior PCO for operations; Chief Master Sergeant Alma Colibao, best senior PNCO for administration;PMSg Arnold Cabacang,best Senior PNCO for operations; Patrolwoman Marianne Gale Gacho, best Junior PNCO for administration;PMSg Ramil Ramosa,best Junior PNCO for operations.
Geraldine Ong was awarded as Best Non-Uniform Personnel-Supervisory level while John Mark Pogoy was named as the Best Non-Uniform Personnel-Non-supervisory level.
PNP8 Regional Pastor Office, PLtCol Joselito Borja, received a special award. Borja is set to vacate his post and will be re-assigned as the police chaplain in the Cordillera region.
Under unit awardees, Leyte Provincial Police Office was recognized as the Best Police Provincial Office of the Year, Tacloban City Police Office (Best City Police Station of the Year), Catbalogan City Police Station (Best Police Station of the Year), Sogod Municipal Police Station (Best Municipal Police Station of the Year), Tacloban City Police Station 2 (Best Police Station of the Year), 1st Northern Samar Police Mobile Force Company (Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Year), Ormoc City Mobile Force Company (City Mobile Force Company of the Year), 803rd Maneuver Company (Best Maneuver Company), Regional Legal Service 8 (Best Regional Administrative Support Unit), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Regional Field Unit 8 (Best Regional Operation Support Unit), Saint Bernard Municipal Police Station-Women and Children Protection Desks (Best WCPD CPS/MPS level) and Leyte PPO, PPSMU (Best PSMU PPO/CPO level).
The PRO8 also handed over recognition to their stakeholders which included Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, Leyte former governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez, Department of Health Regional Director Minerva Molon, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippine Tacloban area manager Danilo Abareta, Sta. Cruz Elementary School principal Menchiel Macaso, Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center Chief Dr. Salvador Evardone, Manila Bulletin correspondent Marie Tonette Grace Marticio and Junior Chamber International member Ma. Luisa Ignacio.
BGen Gamboa, in his message, lauded the PRO8 in its contributions to the program of the national government in the campaign against criminality, illegal logging, illegal fishing, campaign against illegal drugs and anti-insurgency.
Former PRO8 regional director and now PRO13 Regional Director BGen Gilberto Dela Cruz Cruz, 8th Infantry Division Commander Major General Pio Diñoso III were also present during the anniversary celebration held at the Leyte Academic Center. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)