CAMP VICENTE LUKBAN, Catbalogan City-A member of a communist-terrorist group was killed following an encounter with government forces in Barangay Barayong, Motiong, Samar, on October 23, 2024.
Troops from the 87th Infantry Battalion engaged three suspected members of the Yakal Platoon, Sub-Regional Committee Browser, and Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
The clash lasted approximately five minutes before the enemy retreated southeast.
The following day, soldiers discovered the body of an insurgent identified as alias “Tisoy” or “Pogi,” along with an M14 rifle, ammunition, anti-personnel mines, and personal belongings.
In a separate incident, a soldier died during military operations amid Typhoon Kristine.
Pvt. Boyet P. Bogtong was reported to have accidentally slipped from a riverbank and was swept away by strong currents on October 22, 2024.
Search and rescue efforts commenced downstream, leading to the recovery of Pvt. Bogtong’s body two days later in the river at Barangay Anagasi, Paranas, Samar.
Brig. Gen. Perfecto P. Peñaredondo, acting commander of the 8th Infantry Division, extended condolences to Pvt. Bogtong’s family and reaffirmed the military’s dedication to safeguarding the region.
“Private Bogtong’s sacrifice stands as a solemn testament to the bravery and dedication of our troops, who remain committed to their duties despite severe weather and challenging conditions,” Peñaredondo said. (PR)
TACLOBAN CITY — The city government of Borongan, through its city tourism office, successfully conducted a trial run of the Hebacong – Suribao River – San Gabriel circuit tour.
Twenty participants, including local media representatives from Borongan, joined the tour, which began with a tree-planting activity in Hebacong, known for its picturesque “Sea of Clouds.”
A major highlight was the kayaking adventure along the Suribao River, which meandered through several barangays, offering a unique glimpse into the vibrant riverine communities and the stunning natural landscape.
The tour also included a visit to the local coco coir industry in Barangay San Gabriel, where participants enjoyed demonstrations on crafting eco-friendly products, such as fashion bags and floor mats.
Also, the group visited Kaputian Falls also in Brgy. San Gabriel which showcased Borongan’s natural wonders and reinforced the importance of eco-tourism efforts led by the San Gabriel Eco-tourism Association.
“The trial circuit aims to create a regular schedule and experience for all visitors. We plan to offer a fixed itinerary for activities, making it easier for everyone to plan their weekends when they visit,” explained Rupert Ambil II, officer-in-charge of the City Tourism Office.
“The goal is for the government to create opportunities for tourism stakeholders to recognize the potential of what we can offer. Eventually, we aim to minimize government intervention once we have enough operators and tourism associations ready to take over the FunBorongan circuit,” he added.
Ambil also mentioned that the city government plans to develop a program that will allow elementary and secondary school students to experience the circuit as part of their field trips.
“We want to ensure that Boronganons experience firsthand what we are offering to visitors. They will be our ambassadors,” he stated.
ORMOC CITY-A fisherman who went missing after being struck by big waves in Catbalogan City was found lifeless along the seashore of Daraga Islet, Barangay Malajog, Tinambacan District, Calbayog City, Samar, around 2 pm on Friday, October 25, 2024.
The victim, identified as “Dods,” 48, a fisherman from Barangay Magsaysay, Almagro, Samar, was discovered by another fisherman, “Willie,” while fishing along the same shore.
Calbayog City Police Station responded to a report about the body, which had been relayed by a local resident via phone.
According to the investigation, on October 22, Dods had gone to Biliran to sell fish on a motorboat with a companion, “Bert.”
During their return journey at around 10:00 am, their boat was hit by large waves, causing it to capsize. Both men managed to stay afloat by clinging to their damaged boat until they drifted to a rocky shoreline in Barangay Rama, Catbalogan City, around 1:00 am on October 23. While attempting to crawl to safety, Dods was swept away by the waves, while Bert managed to reach shore.
Bert later sought help in Barangay Rama, but despite efforts, they were unable to locate Dods until his body was discovered days later in Calbayog City.
Calbayog police coordinated with the City Health Office for a post-mortem examination. Relatives of the victim confirmed his identity through a tattoo on his left chest. (ROBERT DEJON)
In a country where typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural calamities occur frequently, only the most resilient structures can safeguard lives and properties. Anything less than strict adherence to high construction standards and thorough inspections risks leaving communities vulnerable in times of crisis. Astringent monitoring and quality checks on disaster-mitigation infrastructure projects must be imposed.
Historically, some infrastructure projects meant to withstand natural disasters have failed to do so, often due to corruption, oversight, or poor-quality materials. Structures that should have offered protection instead became sources of additional risk, sometimes collapsing or eroding under pressure. This pattern reveals an urgent need to ensure that every detail, from design to implementation, is held to the highest standard, without compromise. The consequences of neglect in these areas are too severe to allow lapses in quality and safety standards.
Quality assurance alone, however, is insufficient without consistent and independent monitoring. By involving external, impartial inspectors who are well-versed in disaster-resilient construction, projects can better adhere to established safety guidelines. Regular assessments should be mandatory throughout all project phases, not only at the beginning and end. This level of scrutiny, while seemingly tedious, is essential in identifying any corner-cutting practices that might otherwise go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Additionally, the use of high-grade materials specifically designed for resistance against extreme weather is non-negotiable. While opting for cheaper alternatives may reduce costs in the short term, such decisions compromise the overall durability and efficacy of the project. For example, employing substandard steel or concrete in areas prone to high winds and earthquakes can have catastrophic effects. Investing in the right materials and methods may seem costly upfront but is a necessary expense to prevent disasters down the line.
The only way forward is through a commitment to transparency, accountability, and top-tier quality. Government agencies responsible for public safety must prioritize funding for these standards and penalize those who fail to meet them. By enacting strict policies and enforcing them without exception, the nation can build a robust network of infrastructure capable of offering true protection in the face of future calamities.
It’s disturbing to know that some vegetable vendors soak or spray their items with chemicals to keep them looking fresh, disregarding the health risks to buyers. The idea that the veggies on my plate could come with a side of toxic preservatives is unsettling. As I see it, this practice is irresponsible and undermines the trust between us and those who supply our food.
I’ve been in the market scene countless times, a place of fast-moving transactions where vendors are proud of their lush greens, ripe tomatoes, and hefty cabbages. But lately, I can’t help but wonder about the hidden hand of artificial preservation in their vibrant displays. Those colors might look lively, but are they merely costumes hiding a chemical truth? The dishonesty makes me feel like an unsuspecting participant in a performance I never bought a ticket for.
Imagine biting into a leafy lettuce that looks like it was harvested just moments ago, only to find it’s been marinated in who-knows-what to keep up appearances. The irony is painful—the very vegetables meant to keep us healthy are being altered in a way that makes them harmful. It’s a betrayal wrapped in green leaves, and it robs me of the peace of mind I should feel when cooking for myself and my family.
What worries me more is the normalcy of it. How many times have I passed by a stall, trusting that what I see is what I get? These vendors, who may not fully grasp the long-term effects of these chemicals, don’t seem to consider that we eat these vegetables hoping for nourishment, not contamination. I almost feel like I’m participating in an unspoken game where the stakes are higher than they appear: the silent gamble with my health.
What about the farmers who went to the trouble of growing those vegetables naturally? Their hard work feels undermined when vendors douse it with shortcuts, undermining our trust in the entire market system. It’s seeing a master artist’s painting retouched by someone who thinks adding more color makes it “better.” Sometimes, the cost of trying to cut corners is a lot higher than the loss they’re trying to prevent.
You’d think that seeing green and fresh-looking produce is all it takes for me to know it’s healthy and safe. Yet here I am, thinking twice, triple-washing, and feeling less than reassured. I think we should all be alarmed if the once simple act of buying vegetables now feels like a search for the truth. And it’s not like I can hold each vendor accountable—how could I know which ones are taking these shortcuts? The deceptive freshness is as appealing as it is concerning, tricking us all into a sense of safety.
I keep thinking about future generations, too. If my choices now are to scrutinize every leaf and risk my health or avoid buying local produce altogether, it sets a bleak tone. We rely on local vendors to be the bridge between nature and our tables. That bridge, however, feels unstable if it’s built on the foundation of “preserving” vegetables to sell rather than prioritizing our health.
What I would love is for us all—vendors, buyers, and regulators—to revisit our values. Can we promote freshness without chemical meddling? Maybe it’s time to look closer at these injurious practices and consider alternatives like local training, stricter rules, or more public awareness on the subject. The act of buying vegetables should be one of the simplest pleasures in life, not a chemistry test.
WHEN Christ compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed and a yeast that start small and insignificant but can grow big in time (cfr. Lk 13,18-21), he was highlighting the truth that our sanctification can be achieved by taking care of the small, ordinary things in our life, doing them with love for God and for others.
Not only that. We also should have in mind that even in our sinful conditions, as long as we go back to God asking for forgiveness and his grace, we can and should still pursue the all-important task of sanctifying ourselves. Indeed, everything and all conditions and situations can and should be an occasion to attain our ultimate telos in life.
We have to learn how to see the sanctifying and salvific potential of the little ordinary things of our life, and even of our wounded and sinful condition.
We have to realize that it’s in the little things, it’s in the care we give to the small, ordinary, prosaic activities and concerns of the day that would prove whether we are really true to our good intentions and to our fervent affirmations of love for God and care for the others.
We need to train ourselves to see God in the little things. The objective reality is that God is everywhere. He’s not only in the extraordinary events in our life. He is always with us.
Thus, we need to learn to be contemplative even in the middle of the world, able to see God in all the good, the bad, and the ugly that the world contains. We need to learn how to be recollected so that even as we engage our senses and faculties with the many immediate things in life, we don’t lose sight of the ultimate end.
With respect to our sinful condition, while we should try our best to avoid committing sin, we should not fail to realize that that condition can and should occasion a stronger urge to go back to God. Let’s make these words of the psalm our own, “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.” (Ps 18,6)
These words should be carved deep and hard into our mind and heart, so we can always remain at peace and with great hope despite our weaknesses and sinfulness, and all the many other things that can cause us anguish—difficulties, trials, failures, setbacks, etc.
We should not delay in going immediately to God asking for help whenever we find ourselves in situations of distress. God is our Father who will always listen to us, who will always show compassion to us, who will never fail us.
We may fail him many times, but he will always be understanding with us. We should be careful not to be too overwhelmed by our weaknesses and sinfulness as to fall into despair and run away from God.
It’s precisely when we are down when God shows his greatest love for us. We should never doubt this truth which can be validated by the mere fact that God sent his Son to us, and the Son became man and assumed all our sins by dying on the cross.
We obviously should not abuse the goodness and mercy of God, though we also know that somehow we cannot avoid abusing it. What we can do is to learn as quickly as possible the many precious lessons and other good things our weaknesses and sinfulness can occasion in us.
