ORMOC CITY-A septuagenarian, who had been evading authorities for over 15 years, was arrested by local police and operatives from the Kawayan Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Biliran.

The arrest occurred at around 2:30 pm on October 12, in Purok 4, Brgy. Cagsalaosao, Calbayog City.

The suspect, identified as alias “Vencio,” 70, currently residing with his common-law wife in Brgy. Bagongon, Catbalogan City, had been wanted for murder.

He was apprehended by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued on March 11, 2009, by Judge Bienvenido Montalla, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court, Eighth Judicial Region, Branch 16, Naval, Biliran.

Bail was set at P200,000 for the two count of murder filed against the suspect.

Upon his arrest, “Vencio” was informed of the charges against him and was advised of his constitutional rights, including his right to remain silent, in a language he understood, as per the Miranda Doctrine.

He was then taken to the Catbalogan City Police Station for booking procedures. Afterward, he was returned to the court that issued the warrant before being handed over to Kawayan MPS for proper disposition.
(ROBERT DEJON)

Subic Bay, Philippines – The U.S. Navy, ​U.S. ​Marine Corps, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and allied forces commenced the eighth iteration of Exercise Sama Sama in the vicinity of Subic Bay, the ​Republic of the ​Philippines, marking the beginning of two weeks of maritime engagements designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen security ties among regional partners, Oct. 7.

​​Sama Sama 2024, part of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) series, builds on the legacy of ​previous maritime ​collaboration​,​ ​expanding its​ scope of operations​ with​​ both shore and sea phases​.​ ​Participants ​will engage ​​in specialized training across a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, legal operations, engineering, logistics, and public affairs. ​

“This exercise has evolved significantly since its inception. What began as a bilateral event between the United States and the Philippines has grown into a multilateral and multiplatform operation, bringing together like-minded partners from across the Indo-Pacific,” said the U.S. Head of Delegation, Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, Commander Logistics Western Pacific, and Task Force 73. “This development highlights the strength of our alliances and our shared commitment to peace, security, and cooperation in the maritime domain and it’s never been more important.”

​​Working alongside naval vessels and maritime surveillance aircraft, ​​​​specialized teams​, including ​diving and explosive ordnance disposal units​,​​ ​will conduct high-intensity drills focusing on anti-submarine warfare​, ​anti-​surface warfare​, ​anti-​air warfare​, and maritime domain awareness.

“Sama Sama”​,​ which means “togetherness​” ​in Tagalog, reflects ​​the spirit of the decades-long partnership between allies in the region. Sama Sama 2024, a Philippine-U.S. bilateral exercise with invited allied and partner participants, continues to evolve in both complexity and scope into a more sophisticated and multinational environment with each iteration.

This year​’s​ ​exercise includes participants from ​Australia, Japan, Canada, France​, and​ Japan, representing a collective ​commitment ​to stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Today we witness the deepening of ties between the Philippine Navy and the U.S. Navy along with our partners from Australia, Canada, France, United Kingdom, and Japan” said the Philippine Navy Head of Delegation, Rear Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, Vice Commander of the Philippine Navy. “This exercise is a powerful investment for our collective movement and an opportunity to address regional challenges together.”

​​Participating assets​ from the United States​ include the​ Navy’s​ Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83), and a P-8A Poseidon ​maritime surveillance aircraft​.​ ​P​​ersonnel from ​U.S. 7th Fleet​;​ Command Task Forces (CTF) 76, 75 and 72​;​ Command, Destroyer Squadron Seven (DESRON 7)​;​ and the Marine Corps’ ​​Marine Rotational Force​ – Southeast Asia​ (MRF-SEA)​​,​​ are also taking part in Sama Sama 2024​.​

From partner nations, we welcome the Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150)​;​ BRP Waray (LC-288)​;​​ BRP Nestor Reinoso (PC 380)​;​​ a Force Reconnaissance Group, Naval Special Operations Unit 2​;​ and supporting units ​that include​ a medical and media team. ​The Royal Canadian Navy​ will bring the Halifax-class frigate ​​HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) and a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter​. A​ ​Japa​n Maritime Self-Defense Force​Shin Maywa US-2 amphibious aircraft and Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft​ ​​are​​​ also participating.

“Through exercises like Sama Sama, we continue to improve our interoperability and our readiness while deepening our understanding of each other’s capabilities. This exercise reflects our enduring partnership—one built on trust, shared values, and mutual defense,” said Cimicata. “Together, we will refine our ability to respond to natural disasters, maritime threats, and humanitarian crises, while ensuring the safety and security of this vital region.
This year marks the 30th iteration of CARAT, a multinational exercise series designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore​. DESRON 7 also​​ functions as ​the ​​​CTF ​​76 Sea Combat
​​​Commander and​ builds partnerships through training exercises and military-to-military engagements as the executing agent of Commander, Task Group CARAT.

​​U.S. ​7th Fleet is the​ ​Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.(PR)

ORMOC CITY—Two motorcycles collided in a tragic accident, resulting in the death of one driver and injuries to the other driver and their passengers.

The incident occurred at around 4:25 pm on Oct.12 in Barangay Talahid, Almeria, Biliran.
The motorcycles involved were a red Kawasaki 150, driven by alias “Rick,” 42, a tricycle driver and resident of Del Baño St., Brgy. Poblacion, Almeria, and a red Rusi 125 with no plate number, driven by alias “Vi,” 20, a construction worker from Sitio San Roque, Brgy. Larrazabal, Naval, Biliran.

Riding with “Vi” was alias “Niel,” 39, also a construction worker and resident of Sitio Takong, Brgy. Calumpang, Naval.

According to the local police, they responded to a report of the accident in Brgy. Talahid after receiving a call from a concerned resident.

An initial investigation revealed that the two motorcycles were traveling in opposite directions when the Rusi 125 lost control, swerved into the opposite lane, and collided with the Kawasaki 150.

All four individuals were rushed to Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval for medical treatment.
Unfortunately, Vi was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

The motorcycles involved in the accident were taken to the Almeria Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Leyte provincial board has approved an ordinance granting Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla the authority to impose load limits on certain cemented provincial roads on a case-by-case basis, aiming to protect infrastructure and preserve road quality.

The ordinance, titled “An Ordinance Establishing Digital Monitoring System on the Operations of Quarry Sand and Gravel Activities in the Province of Leyte and for Other Purposes”,” is an initiative led by the governor himself.

Leyte 5th district board member Carlo Loreto explained that the ordinance introduces the use of digital technology to monitor sand and gravel hauling operations.

“This is an initiative of Gov. Icot. The sand and gravel hauling operations will now be monitored through a digital system,” he said.

Under the ordinance, microchips will be installed in vehicles used by quarry operators. These microchips will track the vehicles’ activities, allowing for real-time monitoring. Quarry operators will have the chips installed when they apply for their permits with the provincial government.

“With this innovation, there will be less human intervention, which we hope will not only protect the environment but also increase the province’s revenue,” Loreto added.
The ordinance is set to take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

The measure highlights that about 85 percent of Leyte’s provincial roads are already paved, while the remaining 15 percent are gravel roads. However, the technical design of these paved roads, with a thickness of only six to eight inches, is intended to support light vehicles.

The ordinance stresses that many of the vehicles hauling sand, gravel, and other quarry materials are heavy and exceed the capacity of these roads. This excessive weight has impacted negatively on the structural integrity of the roads.

The ordinance aims to safeguard provincial roads from further damage caused by these overloaded vehicles, ensuring their longevity for the benefit of Leyte’s residents and local economy.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)