TACLOBAN CITY — Police in Biliran province recovered a caliber .38 revolver from an elementary school pupil during a school visitation in Almeria town, prompting authorities to intensify efforts to keep firearms out of schools.

In a report released Thursday, the Biliran Police Provincial Office said the firearm was turned over by the principal of Pulang Bato Elementary School after a pupil was allegedly found in possession of the weapon at around 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday.

Responding officers confiscated the caliber .38 revolver, which contained no ammunition, and took custody of it for proper documentation and disposition.

Police coordinated with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, the barangay chairman, the school principal, and the child’s parent.

After interviews, assessment, and counseling, the Grade 6 pupil was released to the parent for appropriate diversion proceedings under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
Authorities withheld the child’s identity and age in compliance with laws protecting the privacy of minors.

The Biliran Police Provincial Office said the incident underscores the need for close cooperation among schools, parents, law enforcement agencies, and local government units to prevent children from gaining access to firearms. It added that regular school visitations and stronger partnerships with school officials form part of its continuing Safer Schools Initiative to ensure a secure learning environment.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The municipality of Lapinig has been declared under the Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC), becoming the 17th town in Northern Samar to achieve the status following years of anti-insurgency and peace-building efforts.

The declaration made on Wednesday, July 29, was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding and a pledge of commitment among national government agencies, the local government, security forces, and other stakeholders to sustain peace, strengthen public safety, and accelerate development initiatives in the municipality.

Major Gen. Peter Burgonio, commander of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said the milestone reflects the combined efforts of the military, police, local government units, and residents in addressing insurgency and restoring peace in the area.

He said the declaration was made possible through years of sacrifices by government forces and the strong support of local communities, emphasizing that lasting peace can only be achieved through a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach.

Northern Samar Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan urged local officials and residents to sustain the municipality’s peaceful condition, stressing that continued cooperation is necessary to prevent the resurgence of insurgency. He also assured the provincial government’s continued support for development programs, noting that peace and progress go hand in hand.

Lapinig is the third municipality in Northern Samar’s second congressional district to be declared under SIPSC, following Laoang and San Roque.

With its inclusion, 17 of the province’s 24 municipalities have now attained the peace and security status.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The families of the three students killed in the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School received permanent housing from the national government through the National Housing Authority (NHA) on Tuesday, July 29.

The beneficiaries are the families of Chris Lorenz Fabian, Ayeesa Nicole Dazo, and Joyancee Separa, whose deaths in the campus shooting shocked the city and th rest of the government which prompted a multi-agency government response.

The housing units, located at the NHA’s Tacloban Housing Project in Barangay 103, Palanog, were formally turned over by NHA Assistant General Manager Alvin Feliciano, NHA Eastern Visayas Regional Manager Engr. Clemente Dayot, and Tacloban Vice Mayor Raymund Romualdez.

The NHA said the housing assistance was granted under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as part of the government’s continuing support for the bereaved families.

Feliciano assured the beneficiaries that government assistance would continue, while Romualdez said the city government remains committed to preventing similar tragedies and providing support to the victims’ families.

On behalf of the beneficiaries, Erbea and Christopher Fabian, parents of Chris Lorenz, thanked the government for providing them with a home they could finally call their own.
Before the turnover, the NHA assessed the families’ housing conditions to determine the appropriate assistance under its housing programs.

The June 22 shooting left three students dead and several others injured, prompting the government to provide financial aid, psychosocial interventions, strengthened school security measures, and other forms of assistance to the victims and their families.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Eleven families displaced by a fire that hit Barangay 62-A, Sagkahan, here, received emergency relief assistance from Tingog party-list, the congressional office of Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez, and the office of Tacloban City Councilor Marty Romualdez.

The fire broke out at around 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, forcing several families from their homes and leaving them in need of immediate assistance.

In response, the three offices distributed relief packs containing sacks of rice, packed food, canned goods, hygiene kits, and blankets to help the affected families meet their immediate needs while recovering from the incident.

Representatives of the three offices said the relief operation was part of their continuing commitment to provide prompt assistance to residents affected by emergencies and disasters.

They also assured the displaced families that additional support would be extended as needed to help them recover and rebuild their lives.

No casualties were reported in the incident. Authorities have yet to disclose the cause of the fire.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)