ORMOC CITY-The lifeless body of a 4-year-old boy was found floating in a river around 12:18 pm on Tuesday, September 17, in Barangay Tambangan, Palapag, Northern Samar.
Police identified the victim as “Atan,” a 4-year-old resident of F. Monica Street, Barangay Laniwan of the said town.

The discovery was reported by Jeremy Alexandre Evardone, team leader of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, along with the Palapag Coast Guard, who informed local police of the boy’s recovery from the river.

According to the police investigation, Atan was last seen playing with friends near a river control construction site in Barangay Laniwan. It is believed that he may have accidentally fallen into the river, leading to his drowning.

The boy was found wearing a green t-shirt and gray shorts. His body was taken to Palapag rural health unit (RHU) for a post-mortem examination. (ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY-A farmer was found lifeless by his son in their farmland around 4 pm on Tuesday, September 17, in Barangay Gigoso, Giporlos, Eastern Samar, after failing to return home for lunch.

The police identified the victim as “Dinio,” 64, a married resident of Brgy. Gigoso.
Authorities responded to a report about the discovery of a body in the barangay.

Initial investigation revealed that the victim had a history of hypertension and was last seen heading to his farm to harvest root crops earlier that day.

When he did not return home for lunch, his son grew concerned and began searching for him around 3 pm.He eventually found his father lying on his back in a grassy area of the farm.

The victim was rushed to the rural health unit of Giporlos, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician. (ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– A laborer was found lifeless along the seashore of Barangay Bunga, Baybay City, on the morning of Wednesday, September 18, after failing to return home the previous night.

The Baybay City Police identified the victim as “Cris,” 41, a resident and laborer of Brgy. Bunga, who was living with his common-law wife.

According to the police report, officers responded to a call about a dead body discovered along the shoreline early that morning.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim had been drinking with friends in a nipa hut near the shore at around 5 pm on Tuesday, September 17. He briefly left the gathering to have dinner at home around 10 pm but did not return afterward.

On Wednesday morning, the victim was found dead, with visible bruises and minor abrasions on his head and chest. His body was taken to a local funeral parlor for post-mortem examination.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine if foul play was involved in the incident.
(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY-A 25-year-old member of an underground mass organization (UGMO), affiliated with communist rebel groups, voluntarily surrendered to the 804th Maneuver Company(MC) of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 in Lavezares, Northern Samar, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

Authorities identified the surrenderer as “Ling,” a female resident of Barangay Pasabuena, Victoria, Northern Samar. She was a member of the Kabataan Alliance (Victoria Chapter) from 2018 to 2021.

Captain Mark Mhon Amistoso, officer-in-charge of the 804th MC headquarters, commended his team for their “exhaustive efforts” leading to the successful operation.

He also urged other UGMO members to “return to mainstream society and seize the opportunity to live a normal and decent life with their loved ones.”

Ling is now under the custody of the 804th MC, where she will be assessed for potential enrollment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), as confirmed by the Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas.

The surrender was made possible through the collaborative efforts of various agencies, including the 804th MC, Area Police Command-Visayas, 1st Northern Samar Provincial Maneuver Force Company, Lavezares Municipal Police Station, Provincial Intelligence Team Northern Samar, Regional Intelligence Unit 8, Northern Samar Provincial Explosive Ordnance and Canine Unit, Maritime Law Enforcement Team Northern Samar, and the Northern Samar Provincial Highway Patrol Team-Regional Highway Patrol Unit 8.
(RONALD O. REYES)

ORMOC CITY-Tragedy struck a family in Barangay Daja Diot, San Isidro, Leyte, when a 14-year-old boy was shot dead by an unidentified gunman, and his father was fatally shot by responding police officers later that night on Sept.15.

The victims were identified as “Ar-ar,” a 14-year-old male student, and his father “Alon,” 40, who lived with his common-law wife in the same barangay.

According to local police, they received a report around 10:35 pm on Sunday, September 15, regarding a shooting incident in the area.

Responding officers from Brgys. Daja Diot and Daja Daku arrived at the scene and found the body of the Ar-ar lying on the barangay road outside their home.

Initial police investigations revealed that Ar-ar was standing outside his house when unknown assailants approached and shot him in the head, killing him instantly.

After hearing the gunshots, the victim’s father, Alon, woke up and rushed to the scene armed with a bladed weapon.

In an agitated state, he confronted the responding officers. Despite the police identifying themselves, Alon allegedly attacked the officers, attempting to stab one of them.

In response, the officers discharged their firearms, hitting Alon multiple times, resulting in his death.

Ar-ar was transported to the Northwestern Leyte District Hospital and later referred to Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) in Tacloban City due to the severity of his injuries. However, he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

His father was pronounced dead at the scene.

The San Isidro Municipal Police Station has requested the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) to process the crime scene, and neighboring police stations have been alerted to conduct intensified checkpoints to apprehend the suspects responsible for the boy’s death.
(ROBERT DEJON)

In Eastern Samar

TACLOBAN CITY—About five former rebels under the care of the 52nd Infantry Battalion (52IB) received cash assistance through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

The cash aid was personally handed to the former rebels at the 52IB camp in Jipapad town, Eastern Samar. The assistance is intended to help them as they transition back into mainstream society.

“This initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to support former rebels through livelihood, education, and social integration programs,” said Lieutenant Colonel Arnold Verania, 52IB commander.

“The financial aid provided by the DSWD is a key component of the government’s efforts to show that those who choose the path of peace will not be left behind. Together with other reintegration programs, we aim to give our former rebels a second chance at a better life,” he added.

In addition to financial assistance, the former rebels received food, shelter, and medical support. They are also undergoing capacity-building programs, psycho-social services, and community reintegration initiatives.

The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the DSWD and 52IB, sharing their hopes for a brighter and more peaceful future for themselves and their families.

This initiative is part of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which provides a holistic approach to helping former rebels reintegrate into society.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)