ORMOC CITY-A barangay chairman is currently recuperating in a hospital after surviving a shooting incident on Sunday morning, March 23, at Purok 2, Barangay Sinidman Occidental, Oquendo District, Calbayog City.
Authorities identified the victim as alias “Rom,” 50, married, and the incumbent chairman of Brgy. Sinidman Occidental.
The suspect, identified as alias “Rene,” 50, unemployed, and a resident of Purok 1, Barangay Sinidman Occidental, was reportedly accompanied by an unidentified male during the attack.
According to the Calbayog City Police Station (CPS), they received information from PEMS Erwin Beso, Oquendo PCP Commander, regarding the shooting incident at around 11:30 am.
The victim had already been rushed to St. Camillus Hospital when police arrived to verify the report and conduct an investigation.
Authorities disclosed that the motive behind the attack was a personal grudge. Fortunately, the barangay chairman was in stable condition during the police interview at the hospital.
Meanwhile, Calbayog police launched a hot pursuit operation to track down the suspect, and charges of frustrated murder are being prepared against him.
ORMOC CITY– A 39-year-old woman was arrested for engaging in illegal ‘swertres’ operations during an anti-illegal gambling operation conducted by the San Roque Municipal Police Station (MPS) and the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Northern Samar Provincial Police Office on Friday, March 21, at around 6:30 pm in Purok 10, Barangay Bantayan, San Roque in Northern Samar.
Police identified the suspect as alias “Elsie,” a housewife and resident of Brgy. Bantayan.
Authorities seized the following items from the suspect’s possession: P1,471 in cash of various denominations, believed to be proceeds from the illegal numbers game; one small green pouch; one black ballpen; six betting sheets; 10 stub lotto result sheets dated March 20, 2025; and two stub lotto result sheets dated March 17, 2025.
The suspect, together with the confiscated evidence, was taken to the San Roque Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and legal proceedings.
ORMOC CITY– A ‘habal-habal’ driver was apprehended in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Biliran Provincial Police Office and the Station Drug Enforcement Team of the local police on Monday, March 24, at around 8:29 pm in Blk 1, lot 38, Cool Mont Crest, Barangay Caneja, Naval, Biliran.
Police identified the suspect as alias “Arnold,” 48, and a resident of Barangay Villa Caneja.
During the operation, an undercover operative successfully purchased one sachet of suspected shabu from the suspect for P500. A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of required witnesses, led to the recovery of two additional sachets containing a white crystalline substance, also suspected to be shabu and a marked P500 bill used in the transaction.
Authorities have yet to determine the total weight and estimated value of the confiscated illegal drugs, pending verification by the Regional Forensic Unit (RFU) 8.
The suspect was informed of his constitutional rights in a language he understood. Charges for violations of Sections 5 (sale of illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) of Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) have been filed against him at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
He is currently detained at the Naval Municipal Police Station’s lock-up cell, awaiting further legal proceedings.
MISS U-PH IN NORTHERN SAMAR. Candidates of this year’s Miss Universe-Philippines are to visit Northern Samar for their photoshoots. (PHOTO COURTESY)
MISS U-PH IN NORTHERN SAMAR. Candidates of this year’s Miss Universe-Philippines are to visit Northern Samar for their photoshoots. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – The upcoming photoshoot of Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) candidates in Northern Samar is expected to boost the province’s tourism marketing and promotion, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Eastern Visayas.
“Northern Samar is one of the less-traveled destinations despite having so much to offer. This is a great opportunity, and we are happy that MUPh collaborated with the provincial government of Northern Samar, through Governor Edwin Ongchuan, to showcase the province in such a prestigious event,” said DOT Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes.
Tiopes emphasized that the tourism department and local government units are exploring various platforms to promote the region’s tourism sites, cultural heritage, and cuisine to a wider audience, both locally and internationally.
“This is a significant chance to promote Northern Samar and let the world know that it is a unique place to visit. The destinations here are not the usual tourist spots people see every day,” she added.
Northern Samar Provincial Tourism Officer Maria Josette Doctor echoed Tiopes’ statement, highlighting the potential impact of the pageant candidates as social media influencers with large followings.
“When they visit Northern Samar, we will make sure to bring them to our best destinations, showcase our hospitality, and let them enjoy our food. Through them, we can present to the world what we have to offer as a tourist destination,” she said.
More than 60 candidates of this year’s MUPh pageant are set to visit Northern Samar from March 30 to April 2 for the photoshoot, which is one of the competition’s major events, according to John Allen Berbon, chief of the Provincial Information Office.
The event not only highlights the contestants’ grace and style but also places Northern Samar’s breathtaking landscapes in the spotlight. The province, known for its tagline “Explore, Experience, Enjoy,” is being positioned as a jewel of Philippine tourism.
“The selection of locations for the photoshoot has been carefully planned to showcase Northern Samar’s natural and cultural heritage. This collaboration provides a unique opportunity to elevate the province’s visibility on a global platform, in line with the Miss Universe Philippines organization’s vision of celebrating beauty, diversity, and cultural richness,” Berbon said.
Among the featured destinations are the Pink Sand Beach in Sila Island, San Vicente; Capul Island, the Biri Rock Formations in Biri; and the Pinusilan Blue Lagoon in Mapanas.
This marks the second time MUPh has chosen Eastern Visayas for a photoshoot, following their 2023 visit to Leyte, where they explored Kalanggaman Island in Palompon and sites in Basey and Marabut, both in Samar.
With this event, Northern Samar hopes to capture the interest of travelers and establish itself as a must-visit destination in the Philippines.
MORE EAGLES IN LEYTE – The Philippine Eagle Foundation has introduced three more Philippine Eagles to the forests of Leyte as part of its Eagle Reintroduction Program. The raptors—Lakpue (male), Lyra Sinabadan (female), and Kalatungan I (immature male)—were released at Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park in Burauen, Leyte on March 21. Story on page 2 (PHILIPPINE EAGLE FOUNDATION)
MORE EAGLES IN LEYTE – The Philippine Eagle Foundation has introduced three more Philippine Eagles to the forests of Leyte as part of its Eagle Reintroduction Program. The raptors—Lakpue (male), Lyra Sinabadan (female), and Kalatungan I (immature male)—were released at Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park in Burauen, Leyte on March 21. Story on page 2 (PHILIPPINE EAGLE FOUNDATION)
Over 400 ex-NPAs so far applied
TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas has recorded the highest number of former New People’s Army (NPA) members applying for amnesty in the entire country, according to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU).
Regional OPAPRU head Imelda Bonifacio disclosed that since December, 443 former rebels from the region have applied for amnesty under the national government’s program.
“Eastern Visayas ranks number one in the country in terms of the number of former NPA members who have applied for amnesty,” Bonifacio said in during the ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas’ of the Philippine Information Agency on March 18.
She attributed the high number of applicants to the large concentration of NPA forces in the region over the years.
During his March 14 visit to Tacloban City, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met with some of these former rebels, including key former leaders of the communist armed group in the region.
“His personal visit will help boost our campaign to encourage more former rebels to surrender and avail themselves of the benefits being offered by the government,” Bonifacio said.
The President also led the oath-taking of Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan as chairpersons of the Local Amnesty Boards for Leyte and Samar, respectively.
These boards are responsible for processing amnesty applications in their respective areas.
Of the 443 applicants, the majority—334—are from Samar Island, which includes the provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar. The remaining 109 are from Leyte, Biliran, and Southern Leyte.
Under the Marcos administration’s amnesty program, approved applicants will receive livelihood and financial assistance and will no longer face prosecution for offenses committed as members of the insurgent group.
However, Bonifacio clarified that individuals with pending criminal cases unrelated to insurgency, such as rape, will still face legal prosecution, as these are not covered under the amnesty program.
She encouraged active NPA members to surrender and apply for amnesty before the program ends in March 2026.
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is again accepting applications for the DAR Scholarship Program for the Dependents of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (DSP-DARBs).
This scholarship program aims to provide financial support to qualified dependents of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) who are interested in pursuing a four-year agriculture-related course at any state universities and colleges (SUCs).
DAR Eastern Visayas Regional Director, Atty. Robert Anthony Yu, encourages children and other dependents of ARBs to grab this opportunity in achieving their dreams.
To qualify, applicants must possess the following: a legitimate dependent of an ARB with a total gross income of no more than P100,000 per year; a senior high school graduate with a general average grade of at least 83 percent; must have passed the college admission exam administered by the SUC; must not have been convicted of any crime that involves moral turpitude; and must not have any ongoing administrative or criminal case.
Interested parties should fill out the application form and submit it to any DAR office in their area together with the following required documents: certification from the DAR regional or provincial office that the applicant is a qualified dependent of an ARB; Personal Data Sheet (CSC Form 212); authenticated copy or certified machine copy of the birth certificate of the applicant; health certificate issued by a government hospital or physician; barangay clearance; certified photocopy of Form 137 (High School Report Card); statement of commitment and support by the parents or guardian of the applicant; certification of good moral character issued by the high school principal or religious leader in the community; certified true copy of the income tax return (ITR) of applicant’s parents; certificate of rating from the SUC for passing the entrance examination; and certificate of enrolment (if enrolled).
Deadline for the submission of applications is on March 31 this year.
As DSP-DARBs scholar, he/she will receive: P3,000 monthly stipend; P2,000 book allowance for every semester; P500 transportation allowance for every month; P500 lodging allowance for every month; graduation fee not exceeding P5,000; P10,000 thesis allowance, if applicable; and P5,000 summer class allowance for two months.
Yu shared that in Eastern Visayas, there are seven DAR DSP-DARBs scholars who are currently enrolled in different SUCs in the region.
