KANANGA, LEYTE — A buy-bust operation conducted by the local Station Drug Enforcement Team and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) led to the arrest of a newly identified drug suspect, 30-year-old Gil Castro Comendador, also known as “Bochokoy,” a pedicab driver and resident of GK Village, Barangay Poblacion, Kananga, Leyte.
The operation took place around 12:35 am on Thursday, October 24.
During the operation, police recovered four sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu.
An operative purchased one sachet of suspected shabu from the suspect for P500.
Upon conducting a body search, in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, officers recovered three additional sachets of suspected shabu, one of which was medium-sized and wrapped in a folded white bond paper. Police also seized a P500 bill used as marked money for the operation, along with P180 in various denominations.
According to police, the recovered illegal drugs had an estimated total weight of 2.8 grams with a street value of approximately P19,040.
The suspect was informed of his arrest and advised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood, as per the Miranda Doctrine.
Charges for violating Sections 5 (Sale of Illegal Drugs) and 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs) have been filed at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Ormoc City. Comendador is currently held in the lock-up cell of the Kananga Municipal Police Station.
Catarman N. Samar– Employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways – Northern Samar First District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSFDEO), led by District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio and Assistant District Engineer Vivian G. Biaco, spearheaded a coastal clean-up drive along the Dalakit Shoreline in Catarman, Northern Samar, on October 18, 2024.
A total of 15 sacks of garbage, composed mostly of biodegradable materials such as driftwoods, coconut husks, coconut leaf rachis, among others were collected by more than 100 NSFDEO employees who participated the activity.
District Engineer Ignacio stressed the importance of coastal clean-ups as a tangible effort in preserving and protecting the environment and its resources.
“These clean-up drives allow us to directly contribute to preserving our planet, especially our oceans and coastlines. The trash we collect could otherwise end up harming marine life and contaminating our waters,” DE Ignacio said.
He also mentioned that this was their second coastal clean-up activity for the year and expressed hope that the initiative will continue as a regular activity of the district.
“Our continued involvement in this activity strengthens our commitment to environmental stewardship, and we aim to sustain this momentum,” Ignacio added.
The coastal clean-up is part of DPWH-NSFDEO’s series of activities aimed at promoting environmental awareness among employees and the community. ANALIZA A. PABIA/PR
MOVED. Upon the order of Mayor Alfred Romualdez, CENRO transferred the composting facility out from the city market to Brgy. Sto. Niño.(TCIO)
On order of Mayor Romualdez
MOVED. Upon the order of Mayor Alfred Romualdez, CENRO transferred the composting facility out from the city market to Brgy. Sto. Niño.(TCIO)
TACLOBAN CITY– The composting facility of this city has a new home after Mayor Alfred Romualdez ordered its relocation from the downtown public market area.
The facility, which has been producing organic fertilizers from market wastes for years to support local farmers and gardeners, is now situated at the city’s composting site in Brgy. Sto. Niño, the former dumpsite.
According to Jonathan Hijada, head of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office(CENRO), they began transporting equipment and existing compost materials to the new site on October 24, following the mayor’s directive.
He stated how this move is timely since two additional composting machines are expected soon, requiring more space.
With the new developments in the area, including the thoroughfare for public utility vehicles heading to northern barangays, Hijada believes that relocating the facility to a safer location is necessary to promote public welfare.
The composting facility project, which started as part of Yolanda rehabilitation, has been recognized by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Soils and Water Management as the only functional composting facility among local governments in the Visayas.
Over the years, CENRO has hosted composting training sessions for other local government units looking to replicate the program. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
FOES NO MORE. Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla joined Japanese Ambassador Endo Kayuza(right) in greeting war veterans from the region during the 80th Leyte Landings anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 20.(JOEY A. GABIETA)
FOES NO MORE. Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla joined Japanese Ambassador Endo Kayuza(right) in greeting war veterans from the region during the 80th Leyte Landings anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 20.(JOEY A. GABIETA)
80th Leyte Landings
PALO, Leyte – As the nation commemorated the 80th anniversary of the historic Leyte Landings, the remaining World War II veterans in Eastern Visayas have one enduring wish: that their sacrifices and the lessons of the past are not forgotten by future generations.
Gathering at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park on Sunday, October 20, local veterans, now few in number, were honored with messages of gratitude from schoolchildren in both the Philippines and the United States. The gesture was a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of those who fought for freedom eight decades ago.
“I have only one wish now—for our young people and future generations to never forget what we did to help liberate our country from the Japanese invaders,” expressed 99-year-old Cornelio Dacuno, one of only 14 surviving veterans from Eastern Visayas.
Dacuno, who was just 16 when he joined the guerrilla movement in Eastern Samar, voiced sadness that many today seem unaware of the significance of the war and its sacrifices.
“We risked everything, offering our lives for the country,” he added in the vernacular, as he clutched one of the 200 letters penned by students from Bethel International School in Palo and several schools in the United States.
The letters, filled with messages of appreciation, were collected by Chaplain Don Biadog Jr. of Operation Help One Another, a private group dedicated to supporting war veterans.
One touching note came from Lou Midgett, a student of Georgetown Elementary School in Louisiana: “You have given so much of yourself, and we appreciate you more than words can express. We thank you for defending your country and offer our deepest gratitude.”
In addition to heartfelt messages, Biadog’s group provided cash and food assistance to the veterans.
“What we’ve given is nothing compared to the magnitude of what they’ve done for the country,” Biadog humbly remarked.
The commemoration featured a 20-minute reenactment of the iconic landing of American forces led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
The performance marked the first reenactment since the 50th anniversary in 1994, drawing attention to a key turning point in the Philippines’ liberation from Japanese occupation.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through a message read by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, called on the youth to honor the legacy of the veterans: “The freedom we enjoy today was not simply given—it was fought for, born out of the blood, sweat, and tears of our ancestors, countrymen, and veterans.”
Teodoro echoed this, pledging to safeguard the country’s freedom and territorial integrity. “We remain committed to protecting the nation, a freedom our veterans fought so valiantly for.”
Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla emphasized the importance of retelling the story of the Leyte Landings to ensure that future generations understand the valor and sacrifice of those who fought in World War II.
“It is through stories like these that we keep the flame of remembrance alive,” he stated.
Foreign dignitaries, including Australian Ambassador Hae Kyung Yu and U.S. Major General Matthew McFarlane, praised the region for its commitment to honoring the veterans.
“Thank you for your generosity and for the continued remembrance you give annually to the nation’s heroes and veterans… to liberate the Philippines,” said the Australian ambassador.
Japan’s Ambassador Endo Kayuza reflected on his country’s transformation, now standing alongside the Philippines and other democratic nations to uphold peace and sovereignty.
“Together with the United States and Australia, we have become trusted democratic partners united by a common goal,” he said.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez highlighted the importance of international unity, noting that “peaceful diplomatic efforts have replaced the destructive contests of arms and violence.”
Among the local officials present were Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla, Vice Gov. Leonardo ‘Sandy’ Javier and his wife, Rep. Lolita Javier (2nd district), Rep. Nicholas Cari (Leyte, 5th district), Rep. Christopherson Yap (2nd district of Southern Leyte) and Rep. Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list group.
THIRD BISHOP. Pope Francis named Bishop Nolly Buco as the bishop of Catarman Diocese on Oct.18. His appointment was welcomed by the people of Northern Samar led by Governor Edwin Ongchuan.
(CBCP)
3rd bishop of the Catarman Diocese
THIRD BISHOP. Pope Francis named Bishop Nolly Buco as the bishop of Catarman Diocese on Oct.18. His appointment was welcomed by the people of Northern Samar led by Governor Edwin Ongchuan. (CBCP)
TACLOBAN CITY– The people of Northern Samar, led by their provincial government, have extended their congratulations to Bishop Nolly Buco following his appointment as the new bishop of the Diocese of Catarman by Pope Francis on Oct. 18.
“We are truly blessed to have Bishop Buco, a seasoned and esteemed canon law expert, entrusted with the pastoral care of our diocese. His wealth of experience and steadfast commitment to serving the Church will undoubtedly steer the Diocese of Catarman towards continued growth and spiritual nourishment,” said the provincial government in a statement issued on Oct. 18.
“We look forward to his guidance as he shepherds our diocese toward a future filled with faith, hope, and charity. May his leadership inspire us all to deepen our spiritual journey and strengthen the bonds of unity within the Catholic community,” the statement continued.
Bishop Buco’s appointment comes as the Diocese of Catarman is to mark its golden anniversary on March 11 next year, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the province of Northern Samar.
Buco, 60, is currently the auxiliary bishop of Antipolo and was named as the apostolic administrator of Catarman on December 8, 2023, following the resignation of Bishop Emmanuel Trance due to health reasons.
He is the third bishop of Catarman since it became a diocese nearly 50 years ago, on Dec. 5, 1974.
Ordained a priest for Antipolo in 1993, Buco, a canon law expert, has served the diocese in various capacities, including as its judicial vicar.
In July 2018, he was named auxiliary bishop of Antipolo and was ordained to the episcopate on Sept. 8 of the same year.
In the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Buco serves as head or judicial vicar of the National Tribunal of Appeals, a body that handles marriage nullity cases in the country.
ORMOC CITY– A fighting cock handler is currently detained at the municipal police station in Villaba, Leyte after being apprehended for possession of drug paraphernalia.
The arrest occurred around 8:45 am on Saturday, October 19, in Sitio Can-Apug, Barangay Suba, Villaba after the suspect was found sleeping in someone’s house.
Villaba Officer-in-Charge, Police Major Ian Salvador Po, identified the suspect as John Mark Ruiz, 28, single.
Ruiz is a resident of Brgy. Suba and has been listed as a newly identified street-level individual on the local police drug watchlist.
According to Major Po, the arrest followed a report from a resident identified as alias “Bernadette,” 28, a business owner living in Sitio Can-Apug.
She called the Villaba Police Hotline, reporting that an unknown person was found sleeping inside her residence, specifically in the kitchen sink area. Responding police officers immediately went to the scene to investigate.
Upon arrival, the police identified the sleeping individual as Ruiz, but he became unruly when woken up. To avoid further chaos, as the house owner and her relatives were becoming agitated, the police took Ruiz into custody and brought him to the Villaba Police Station.
During a lawful search at the station, conducted by PCpl Carlo Damayo and witnessed by Barangay Councilor Martin I. Saladaga along with the two complainants, alias “Rena” and alias “Bernadette,” police recovered drug paraphernalia from the suspect.
The confiscated items included three empty sachets with suspected shabu residue, one tin foil strand with suspected shabu residue, an improvised tin foil toother with suspected shabu residue, a medical needle, a lighter, an improvised canister, and a pair of medical scissors.
The suspect is currently in the custody of Villaba Police Station, and charges for violation of Section 12, Article II of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), as amended by RA 10640, were filed against him.
