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Body of Manila-based worker found dead in Homonhon barracks

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ORMOC CITY – A Manila-based worker was found lifeless inside his barracks in Barangay Cagusuan, Homonhon Island, Guiuan town on April 14, according to a report from the Police Regional Office 8 (PNP-8).

The victim, identified only by his alias “Leo,” 49 years old, married, and a resident of Lot 1, Block 10, 4th Street, Tañong (Pob.), Malabon City, was employed as a fitter, welder, and foreman under Dover Shipping Services Inc., a subcontractor of Verum Tera Geoscience Incorporated (VTGI), a mining company.

Based on the initial investigation of the Guiuan Municipal Police Station(MPS), personnel from the 2nd Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd ESPMFC) and Guiuan MPS responded to a report from a company worker, alias “Alfie,” regarding a dead body found inside the workers’ barracks.

According to police, the victim was last seen alive around 5:20 am on the same day when he reportedly went to sleep. At around 8:50 am, Alfie and another co-worker, alias “Gimo,” attempted to wake him but received no response.

The company’s registered nurse was then called to assess the situation and declared that the victim had likely been dead for several hours.

VTGI’s company doctor later confirmed the fatality upon the arrival of responding police officers.

Authorities said the body will undergo a post-mortem examination by the Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Guiuan to determine the cause of death.

As of press time, foul play has not been ruled out pending further medical and forensic findings.
(ROBERT DEJON)

VP Sara Duterte makes unannounced church visits in Samar and Biliran

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VP CHURCH VISITS. Vice President Sara Duterte made her ‘Visita Iglesia’ in Samar churches over the weekend with the Most Holy Trinity Parish in Barangay Trinidad in Calbayog City as her first stop. Photo shows Duterte obliging for a selfie photo with the locals. (PHOTO COURTESY)
VP CHURCH VISITS. Vice President Sara Duterte made her ‘Visita Iglesia’ in Samar churches over the weekend with the Most Holy Trinity Parish in Barangay Trinidad in Calbayog City as her first stop. Photo shows Duterte obliging for a selfie photo with the locals. (PHOTO COURTESY)

TACLOBAN CITY – Vice President Sara Duterte made an unannounced visit to Eastern Visayas over the weekend, touring several churches across the provinces of Samar and Biliran in what appeared she said to be a private spiritual journey and a show of gratitude to supporters of her family.

The vice president arrived at Calbayog Airport on Saturday, April 19, around 8:00 am, and proceeded directly to the Most Holy Trinity Parish in Barangay Trinidad, just a kilometer away. According to sources, only a few church staff were present when she arrived.
From there, Duterte visited the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Calbayog City proper, followed by stops at various churches in Samar: St. Michael Parish in Gandara, St. Isidore the Farmer Parish in San Jorge, St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Tarangnan, and the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary and St. Bartholomew Parish in Catbalogan City.

City officials confirmed that her visit was not coordinated with the local government.
During brief interactions with people she met at the churches, Duterte expressed her appreciation for the continued support of Samarnons for her office and for her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently facing charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) related to alleged crimes against humanity tied to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.

“Maraming salamat sa inyong patuloy na pagsuporta lalo na kay dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at sa patuloy na pagtitiwala sa aking opisina, ang opisina ng Ikalawang Pangulo ng ating bayan,” she said.

She also encouraged supporters to keep advocating for the former president’s return to the country amid ongoing legal proceedings.

After spending the night in Samar, the vice president continued her church visits on Sunday, April 20, stopping by the Naval Cathedral in Biliran province, where she was again welcomed by local supporters.

She also made a short visit in Ormoc City.

It was not cleared if she met with any local officials during her visits to these various places. The vice president has earlier been impeached by the House of Representatives due to allegation of corruptions.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

3 NPA rebels in Samar surrender for a chance at peaceful life

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TACLOBAN CITY – Three active members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Samar province surrendered to government forces on April 11, 2025, seeking a fresh start and a peaceful life with their family.

They voluntarily turned themselves in to the 19th Infantry Battalion (19IB) and the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) in Matuguinao, headed by Mayor Aran Boller.

The former rebels include alias ‘Ben,’ his son, and daughter-in-law.

“(They) left because they believed there was no future here. But now they see that a peaceful life is possible,” Ben’s wife, who facilitated their surrender, said.

“Every time I heard of an encounter, my heart would sink. I didn’t know if they were alive or dead,” she added, describing the anxiety that finally drove her to act.

On the night of April 11, the three came down from the mountains and were warmly received by 19IB troops.

‘Lucille’, the daughter-in-law who went by the alias “Osang” in the underground movement, shared that life in the armed struggle was far from ideal.

“There were days when we had nothing to eat but dried root crops. We walked constantly, always hiding, always running,” she recounted.

Now back in the fold of the law, the rehabilitated rebels will receive support under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which includes psychosocial services, livelihood training, and financial assistance. The MTF-ELCAC in Matuguinao will also extend further help to ensure their reintegration into society.

“To those still in the mountains—we’ve lived that life. Ask yourselves what you’re still fighting for. Life is here, with your family, and the government is ready to help,” Ben, in his appeal to remaining NPA members, said.

Lieutenant Colonel Ricky James Rosalejos, commanding officer of the 19th IB, commended the three for their courage to return to civilian life.

“This surrender is a testament to how peace can begin at home. When families step in and communities support them, healing becomes possible,” he said.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

30 nabbed, over P378K in drugs seized in Eastern Visayas anti-narcotics drive

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TACLOBAN CITY – At least 30 drug suspects were arrested and over P378,000 worth of illegal drugs were seized during a weeklong series of police operations across the region from April 7 to 13, 2025.

The intensified anti-narcotics drive yielded 55.68 grams of suspected shabu, valued at P378,629.44, according to the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8).

“This accomplishment reflects the hard work and commitment of our personnel, as well as the support from our communities,” said PRO-8 director Brigadier General Jay Cumigad. “We urge the public to continue cooperating with us by reporting suspicious drug-related activities.”

A total of 26 anti-drug operations were conducted, leading to the arrest of 27 listed and three unlisted drug personalities. No voluntary surrenders were recorded during the campaign period.

Authorities filed 31 cases for violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, against the suspects.

The Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) accounted for the largest seizure with 33.77 grams of shabu, followed by the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) with 10.13 grams.
Among the notable arrests was a Rank No. 9 High-Value Individual (HVI) caught in Barangay Poblacion, Kananga, Leyte on April 7, with 5.2 grams of shabu worth P35,360 confiscated. The next day, a Rank No. 3 HVI was apprehended in Barangay 105, Suhi, Tacloban, yielding 10 grams of shabu valued at P68,000.

Cumigad reiterated the police’s commitment to sustaining anti-drug efforts across the region.
(RONALD O. REYES)

Eastern Visayas celebrates Filipino Food Month with culinary workshops, street food fest

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TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Eastern Visayas has lined up a series of culinary workshops and food festivals this April in celebration of Filipino Food Month.

With the theme “Sarap ng Pagkaing Pilipino, Yaman ng Ating Kasaysayan, Kultura, at Pagkatao,” this year’s celebration highlights the rich heritage, diversity, and artistry of Filipino cuisine.

From April 4 to 6, a community-based ‘kulinarya’ workshop was held in Tacloban City to equip grassroots culinary talents with skills in food preparation, safety, and presentation—aimed at enhancing the community-based tourism experience.

On April 23, a Halal Culinary Workshop will take place at the Biliran Hall of the Summit Hotel, bringing together food service providers, restaurateurs, and tourism advocates. The event will feature live cooking demonstrations by local chefs and talks from renowned culinary experts, including Chef Jam Melchor, founder of the Slow Food Youth Network, and Chef Tahir Ayunan Malikol, Nestlé Halal Ambassador.

Another community-based culinary workshop focusing on the Secret Kitchens of Samar is scheduled for April 25 to 27 in Paranas, Samar, showcasing the province’s hidden culinary gems and local food heritage.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Visayas Street Food Fest will be held on April 25 to 26 at the Payapay Seafood Park in San Jose District, Tacloban City. The two-day event will spotlight unique and iconic street food from the region’s six provinces.

Filipino Food Month is celebrated every April under Presidential Proclamation No. 469, signed in 2018, following efforts by the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement, the Department of Agriculture, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Bloody ballots

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As the country inches closer to another round of local and national elections, cases of election-related violence have once again erupted in certain places, including our region. This is the ugliest face of Philippine politics—candidates and supporters dying for power that is supposed to serve the people.

Such violence strips elections of their democratic character. When bullets dictate who holds office, the vote becomes meaningless. The people are silenced before they can even speak. Politicians with private armies, funded by ill-gotten wealth or drug money, turn communities into war zones just to secure a seat. This is not governance—it is terrorism parading as political competition. It is a brutal reminder that in some areas, ballots are still guarded by gun barrels.

What makes this cycle worse is its seeming normalization. There is public outrage, yes, but only for a moment. After the headlines fade, so does the demand for accountability. Investigations drag on without conviction. Even more disturbing is the complicity of those in power—law enforcement turns a blind eye, election officials dismiss red flags, and political dynasties protect their own at the expense of justice. These lapses embolden perpetrators and discourage citizens from standing up for their right to vote freely.

Election-related violence is not only about power grabs; it is a symptom of a much deeper sickness in our political culture. In many provinces, running for office is seen as a matter of life and death, not service. Winning means access to contracts, projects, and influence; losing can mean losing protection, income, or one’s own life. It is a political environment where integrity has no place, and the only qualification needed is force. Until this culture is dismantled, clean elections will remain an illusion.

It is time for institutions to act with resolve. The Commission on Elections must not merely monitor—it must protect. Law enforcement must disarm private armies without fear or favor. Civil society must remain vigilant. And voters, most of all, must reject the kind of leaders who build their platforms on intimidation and bloodshed. For a government founded on violence is a curse on the people it is sworn to serve.

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