ORMOC CITY — Police arrested one of the alleged gunmen involved in the deadly ambush that killed the live-in partner of a barangay chairman and a village aide in Albuera, Leyte, less than 24 hours after the attack.

The suspect, identified only as alias “Jeffrey,” was apprehended at around 10:10 p.m. on June 15 during a hot pursuit operation conducted by personnel of the Albuera Municipal Police Station with the assistance of Albuera Mayor Rolan Espinosa. His alleged accomplice, known only as alias “Jayjay,” remains at large.

The arrest came hours after gunmen ambushed a Toyota Wigo carrying five occupants along a barangay road in Barangay Salvacion at about 7 a.m., leaving two dead and two others injured.

Killed in the attack were alias “Mae,” 51, the live-in partner of Barangay Salvacion Chairman Walter Tarife, and alias “Sonny,” 23, a barangay employee. Both sustained fatal gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

Wounded were alias “Dan,” 56, who suffered a gunshot wound to the neck, and alias “Gerald,” 17, who sustained injuries to his left hand and foot. Another passenger, alias “Jun,” 18, escaped unharmed.

Investigation by the Albuera police revealed that the victims had left Mae’s residence at around 6:05 a.m. and were on their way to the town center where she was set to open her store when they were attacked.

Authorities said the suspects were allegedly positioned on elevated ground beside the roadway and opened fire on the vehicle using high-powered firearms. After the attack, the gunmen reportedly fled toward the mountainous portion of the barangay.

Responding police officers found the bodies of the two fatalities inside the vehicle, while the injured victims had already been rushed to the Albuera Rural Health Unit for treatment.
Crime scene investigators recovered four empty 7.62-mm shell casings and one fired bullet at the scene. Police also conducted forensic procedures, including paraffin testing and fingerprint collection on the deceased victims.

Following the arrest, alias “Jeffrey” allegedly identified his cohort as alias “Jayjay,” a farmer and fellow resident of Barangay Antipolo, Albuera. During questioning, the suspect reportedly claimed that he and his companion had been hired by an individual from Ormoc City to carry out the attack.

Recovered from the suspect were an M14 Springfield Armory rifle with ammunition and magazine, as well as an R4 rifle with a magazine and 25 rounds of 5.56-mm ammunition.
Police have filed multiple counts of murder and frustrated murder against the arrested suspect and his still unidentified accomplice.

Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the ambush and are pursuing leads to identify the alleged mastermind behind the attack.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office planted 200 native tree seedlings in MacArthur, Leyte as part of the Nationwide Arbor Day Celebration 2026, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.

The tree-planting activity was held on June 17 in Barangay San Vicente and gathered DPWH personnel led by Officer-in-Charge Assistant District Engineer Sharon Agustin, section chiefs, and employees in a collective effort to support reforestation and biodiversity conservation.

A total of 200 native seedlings were planted during the activity, consisting of 100 Atipolo trees and 100 Yakal trees. Both species are known for their ecological importance and are expected to contribute to watershed protection, biodiversity enhancement, and the restoration of green spaces in the area.

The activity was conducted under the theme, “Rooted @ 128: Tree Planting Seeds of the New DPWH,” in line with the department’s observance of Arbor Day and its 128th anniversary.

Agustin said the initiative reflects the agency’s commitment to promoting environmental sustainability alongside infrastructure development.

“Planting trees is more than an environmental activity. It is a shared responsibility and an investment in a healthier and more sustainable future for the next generation,” she said.
The annual Arbor Day celebration underscores the crucial role of trees in maintaining ecological balance, improving environmental quality, and mitigating the effects of climate change.

Through the activity, DPWH Leyte 2nd DEO reaffirmed its support for the department’s environmental programs while encouraging employees and communities to take an active role in protecting the country’s natural resources.

As the agency marks 128 years of public service, officials said initiatives such as tree planting demonstrate DPWH’s continuing efforts to ensure that infrastructure development and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Subic Bay, Zambales-On June 22, the U.S. government transferred four Ocean Aero Triton autonomous underwater and surface vehicles (AUSVs) to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The delivery of these systems, valued at approximately Php754 million ($13 million), demonstrates the United States’ commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Alliance and to a free and open Indo-Pacific by enhancing the Philippines’ ability to detect and respond to maritime challenges and illegal maritime activities.

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Bridgette Walker, U.S. Embassy Senior Defense Official and Chief of the Joint US. Military Assistance Group-Philippines Colonel Daniel Oh, Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Joe Anthony Cabahug-Orbe, and Philippine Navy Unmanned Surface Vessel Unit Acting Commander Lt. Cmdr. Aldwin Pasicolan led the turnover ceremony at the Philippine Navy’s Naval Operating Base Subic.
The Triton AUSVs are capable of collecting data above and below the ocean’s surface through a resilient mesh network. The Tritons are solar-powered, allowing each unit to operate for up to 30 days for improved decision-making at the tactical and operational levels.

“The four Ocean Aero Triton AUSVs we are transferring today represent something important: the future of maritime security is not just about platforms—it is about capability, speed, and reach,” Chargé d’Affaires Walker said in her remarks. “The Indo-Pacific’s maritime domain is vast, contested, and critical, and the Philippines sits at the heart of it. The ability to monitor and respond to maritime challenges—illegal fishing, gray zone activities, and threats to freedom of navigation—requires persistent, long-endurance awareness that no single ship or aircraft can provide alone. The Triton fills that gap by expanding the capabilities of the Philippine Navy into critical waterways,” she added.
The delivery demonstrates how aligned investments, training, and shared standards translate into credible, ready capabilities that deter aggression and support regional stability. “Today’s delivery highlights our enduring commitment to stand with the Philippines and invest in Alliance modernization in a manner that supports the bilateral Philippines-U.S. Security Sector Assistance Roadmap objectives,” said Colonel Oh. “These unmanned capabilities support the AFP’s transition to territorial defense and improve awareness in critical waterways. The next step is to assist the Philippines integrate these new capabilities in their employment and sustainment concepts.”

The United States and the Philippines stand shoulder to shoulder as ironclad Allies, bound by shared history, common values, and an unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY — The homes of the three students killed in the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School have become places of mourning visited by some of the country’s most influential political leaders. But amid the flowers, condolences, and promises of assistance, the victims’ families say their appeal remains unchanged: they want justice for their children.

Since the deadly campus shooting that claimed the lives of Joyancee Separa, 16; Nicole Daza, 14; and Chris Lorenz Fabian, 16, and left 20 others injured, including 15 with gunshot wounds, a stream of national officials has visited the wake of the slain students to express sympathy and extend assistance.

Among those who paid their respects were Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Senators Bam Aquino and Robin Padilla, and Vice President Sara Duterte. Floral wreaths bearing the name of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were also sent to the families.

For the grieving parents, however, the visits have not eased the pain of losing their children.

At the wake of Joyancee Separa, her mother, Jenny Baldoria, recalled how the wreath sent by Vice President Duterte was initially placed outside their home because there was no longer enough space beside her daughter’s coffin.

“I was later told that it should be brought inside, so we placed it beside the wreath sent by the President,” Baldoria said, adding that she was not home when both floral arrangements were delivered.

At the nearby wake of Chris Lorenz Fabian, wreaths from both President Marcos and Vice President Duterte also stood side by side.

Chris Lorenz’s grandmother, Ahlette Fabian, said the family’s appreciation for the expressions of sympathy remains overshadowed by their desire to see those responsible held accountable.

“We are grateful for the condolences and the support, but what we truly want is justice for Chris,” she said.

She added that she had heard reports that President Marcos might personally visit the wake, although no official confirmation had been received.

The June 22 shooting, one of the deadliest school attacks in recent Philippine history, has drawn national attention and renewed calls for stronger school security, improved mental health services, and stricter measures to prevent violence on school campuses.

The attack also unfolded against the backdrop of an increasingly visible political divide between President Marcos and Vice President Duterte, whose alliance in the 2022 elections has since unraveled. Yet inside the modest homes where the victims lie in state, politics has taken a back seat to grief.

Family photographs, school medals, and graduation dreams left unfulfilled now surround the coffins of the three teenagers. While wreaths and visits from the country’s highest officials have brought national attention to their loss, relatives say no gesture can replace the lives taken by the tragedy.

As investigations continue and the nation mourns, the families insist that the greatest tribute their children can receive is not from flowers or high-profile visits, but from the swift delivery of justice.

(JOEY A.GABIETA)