TACLOBAN CITY — As part of the government’s continuing peace and reconciliation efforts, the Philippine Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion, in coordination with the 802nd Infantry Brigade, supported an amnesty orientation and application program in Villaba, Leyte, aimed at helping former rebels return to civilian life.

The activity was held at the Villaba Municipal Function Hall and gathered 30 former rebels from Barangay Cagnocot in Villaba town and Poblacion 1 in Tabango. The orientation was facilitated by Peace Program Officer II Bhea Janine Gozo, who explained the amnesty process and guided participants through the requirements for formal application.

To ensure clarity on legal matters, Atty. Jared Anthony Bandalan provided a briefing on the scope of offenses covered by the amnesty proclamation, the documentary requirements, and the intake interview procedures to be conducted by the Local Amnesty Board Secretariat.

The event coincided with the anniversary of the Amnesty Proclamations and marked the official launch of the 100-day countdown to the application deadline, underscoring the urgency of encouraging qualified former combatants to avail themselves of the program.
The 93rd Infantry Battalion, led by Lt. Col. Celeste Frank Sayson, said it remains committed to working closely with the 802nd Infantry Brigade and the National Amnesty Commission to streamline the application process and ensure the safety and welfare of applicants in Northern Leyte.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– A 72-year-old fish vendor was injured after being struck by a motorcycle with a sidecar along the National Highway in Brgy. Looc, Cabucgayan in Biliran on Tuesday evening, January 13.

Police identified the victim as alias ‘Pedro’ and a resident of Brgy. Looc. The motorcycle, red in color and without a plate number, was driven by 63-year-old alias ‘Ramil,’ also a resident of Brgy. Looc, with three passengers on board.

According to police, the incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. when the victim suddenly crossed the highway and was accidentally hit by the approaching vehicle. Responding officers said locals assisted Pedro and transported him to the Cabucgayan Rural Health Unit for treatment, where he was treated for multiple injuries.

The motorcycle driver was unharmed and brought to the Cabucgayan Municipal Police Station along with the vehicle for documentation and proper disposition.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— A high-value drug suspect was killed in a shootout with police during a buy-bust operation Thursday night in Barangay Rawis, Calbayog City.

The entrapment operation, conducted at around 9:55 p.m. on January 15, targeted alias “Ron-ron,” a known high-value individual (HVI) involved in illegal drugs and firearms. Police said the suspect, a resident of Barangay Looc, opened fire on the poseur buyer and arresting officer during the handover of P15,000 in buy-bust money.

Authorities said the money included one genuine P500 bill subscribed by the court and P14,500 in boodle money. The suspect reportedly sensed the operation and fired a short firearm of unknown caliber, prompting police to return fire. The suspect was hit multiple times and was immediately brought by CDRRMO rescue to Calbayog District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival at around 10:20 p.m. by Dr. Shiella Silagan.
Items recovered included two live 9mm rounds, one live .45 caliber round, ten fired 9mm cartridges, and a loaded Colt .45 pistol.

A body search at the hospital also recovered the full buy-bust amount and eight sachets of suspected shabu weighing about one gram, with an estimated value of P6,800.
The evidence is now in the custody of the Calbayog City Satellite Forensic Office pending turnover to the Forensic Unit. Paraffin tests were conducted on the suspect’s hands at a local funeral parlor.

Police said the operation was documented using two recording devices, and the area was secured by the remaining team pending investigation.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— A 30-year-old housewife was arrested on Saturday afternoon following a court-issued warrant for frustrated homicide.

Authorities identified the suspect as alias “Gina,” a resident of Sitio Cawilan, Brgy. Damulaan, Albuera, Leyte.

The arrest was carried out at around 3:50 p.m. by joint personnel from the 1st Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company (LPMFC), the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Leyte Police, Albuera MPS, and the Anti-Kidnapping Group – VFU Ormoc Satellite Office.

The warrant, issued by Judge Carlos Arguelles, presiding judge of Regional Trial Court- Branch 14 in Baybay City, carries a recommended bail of P72,000.

Gina was informed of the nature of her arrest, her constitutional rights, and was subsequently brought to Albuera MPS for booking before being turned over to the court.
Police confirmed that the arrest stemmed from an ongoing investigation into a frustrated homicide case in the municipality.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — As part of the government’s continuing peace and reconciliation efforts, the Philippine Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion, in coordination with the 802nd Infantry Brigade, supported an amnesty orientation and application program in Villaba, Leyte, aimed at helping former rebels return to civilian life.

The activity was held at the Villaba Municipal Function Hall and gathered 30 former rebels from Barangay Cagnocot in Villaba town and Poblacion 1 in Tabango. The orientation was facilitated by Peace Program Officer II Bhea Janine Gozo, who explained the amnesty process and guided participants through the requirements for formal application.
To ensure clarity on legal matters, Atty. Jared Anthony Bandalan provided a briefing on the scope of offenses covered by the amnesty proclamation, the documentary requirements, and the intake interview procedures to be conducted by the Local Amnesty Board Secretariat.

The event coincided with the anniversary of the Amnesty Proclamations and marked the official launch of the 100-day countdown to the application deadline, underscoring the urgency of encouraging qualified former combatants to avail themselves of the program.
The 93rd Infantry Battalion, led by Lt. Col. Celeste Frank Sayson, said it remains committed to working closely with the 802nd Infantry Brigade and the National Amnesty Commission to streamline the application process and ensure the safety and welfare of applicants in Northern Leyte.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)