TACLOBAN CITY — A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed while five high-powered firearms were seized following an encounter between government troops and communist rebels in Barangay Nipa, Palapag, Northern Samar, on Saturday, November 29.
The firefight erupted early morning when soldiers of the 8th Infantry Division conducting security operations clashed with members of the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Arctic of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).

The rebels were reportedly positioned in a hideout rigged with anti-personnel mines, which are banned under international humanitarian law.

Close air support was called in after the troops encountered strong resistance, resulting in the death of one rebel and the recovery of the seized firearms and other war materiel. Several NPA members managed to escape, prompting soldiers to launch pursuit operations.
According to the Army, the operation stemmed from persistent reports from civilians claiming that the communist rebels had been extorting farmers and harassing communities still rebuilding from the impacts of Typhoon Tino and Typhoon Uwan.

The 8th Infantry Division condemned what it described as deliberate attempts by communist rebels to destabilize peace and security in the area, citing their use of banned explosives as a “blatant disregard” of measures to protect civilians.

The division vowed to continue focused military operations to dismantle remaining NPA formations in Eastern Visayas.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

ORMOC CITY — Three sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu were seized from a delivery driver during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Station Drug Enforcement Team of the local police at around 11:09 p.m. on Saturday, November 29, in Barangay San Isidro, Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte.

The suspect, identified only by the alias “Jade,” 31, single, and a resident of Barangay San Isidro, was arrested after allegedly selling one sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover operative for P1,000.

During the body search, conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, two additional sachets of suspected shabu were recovered. Police also seized the P1,000 marked money used in the operation and cash totaling P19,941 in different denominations.
The suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he could understand.

Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against the suspect, who is now temporarily detained at the locked-up cell of the Saint Bernard Municipal Police Station.

(ROBERT DEJON)

Dioceses in EV also join the rally

TACLOBAN CITY — Various civil society groups, sectoral organizations, and militant alliances gathered here on Sunday, Nov. 30, for the local leg of the nationwide “Trillion Peso March Rally,” calling for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte amid allegations of massive corruption linked to the controversial flood control projects.

The protesters—composed of students, farmers, women’s groups, and progressive organizations—held a more than two-hour demonstration starting past 9 a.m. at the RTR Plaza, the city’s designated freedom park. Some passing motorists expressed support by honking their horns as they drove by the rally site.

Fara Diva Gamalo of the Freedom from Debt Coalition–Oriang said the country’s top leaders must be held accountable for the corruption controversies that have sparked public outrage.

“We are calling for all of them to resign, particularly Marcos and Duterte, and all others responsible for this flood control project controversy,” Gamalo said in an interview.

Though fewer than a hundred attended and the demonstration was closely monitored by city police, the groups also took the opportunity to raise long-standing social issues such as agrarian reform, workers’ wages, and economic inequalities.

At the Redemptorist Church in Tacloban, a seven-minute video illustrating the alleged impacts of the flood control scandal was shown before the start of the Mass, reflecting the growing involvement of faith communities in the call for transparency and accountability.
Dioceses across Eastern Visayas likewise participated in the Trillion Peso March by urging the faithful to stand for justice and good governance.

“Let us stand together as faithful stewards of truth, justice, and the common good,” said Bishop Isabelo Avarquez in a statement.

The dioceses of Calbayog, Borongan, Naval, Catarman, Maasin, and Palo also posted live broadcasts of the main EDSA rally on their official social media pages, signaling broad regional support for the nationwide demonstrations.

(JOEY A.GABIETA, ROEL T. AMAZONA)