TACLOBAN CITY — In a bid to strengthen peacebuilding and reintegration initiatives in Eastern Samar, 146 rehabilitated members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have formally organized themselves into a new association called the Eastern Samar Peace and Development Advocates (ESPADA).

The formation of ESPADA, announced during a consultative dialogue in Borongan City on September 15, reflects the government’s push to institutionalize the reintegration of former rebels through community-based organizations. The dialogue was initiated by the Eastern Samar Provincial Police Office–Provincial Intelligence Unit (ESPPO-PIU) and facilitated by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU).

“This is a significant step towards consolidating the efforts of our peacebuilders in Eastern Samar,” said Emy Bonifacio, OPAPRU regional coordinator, in an interview on September 16. “With ESPADA now organized, we can better ensure that their concerns are heard and that the programs under the Transformation Program Action Plan are implemented effectively.”
According to Bonifacio, ESPADA will serve as a support system for its members, providing access to legal assistance, medical aid, scholarships, livelihood support, and housing programs. The group is also expected to act as a conduit between the government and communities in Eastern Samar to prevent a return to armed conflict.

“The Transformation Program has four components that we are addressing,” Bonifacio explained. “First is security, to make sure our peacebuilders are safe when they return to their communities. Second is confidence-building, through services such as PhilHealth, national IDs, and scholarships for their families. Third is healing and reconciliation, which includes trauma healing and peace education. Finally, we have socio-economic interventions like livelihood opportunities and skills training.”

Bonifacio emphasized that ESPADA will align its work with the Eastern Visayas Peacebuilders Federation (EVPBDF), headed by Alma Gabin — herself a former high-ranking rebel — to harmonize local efforts with the region’s broader peace agenda. This move complies with a March 13, 2025, memorandum from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), which mandates the consolidation of peacebuilder associations as civil society representatives in local and regional task forces.

“The organization of ESPADA ensures that former rebels are not just reintegrated but are also empowered to live productive lives,” Bonifacio added. “We want them to be part of resilient communities that will no longer be vulnerable to conflict.”

ESPADA’s newly elected ad hoc officers will now begin drafting the group’s by-laws and seek registration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to gain official recognition and access to government funding.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law four measures that expand access to quality education by establishing new national high schools and converting existing elementary schools into integrated schools in the provinces of Leyte, Rizal, and Sorsogon.
President Marcos issued Republic Act (RA) 12256 establishing the Doos del Norte National High School in Hindang, Leyte, and RA 12258 creating the Tanay National Science High School in Rizal.

The Chief Executive also signed RA 12257, which converted the Alegria Elementary School in Barcelona, Sorsogon, into the Alegria Integrated School, and Republic Act No. 12259, which transformed the Patag Elementary School in Irosin, Sorsogon, into the Patag Integrated School.

Under the laws, all personnel, assets, liabilities, and records of the converted schools will be transferred to and absorbed by the integrated schools.

The President mandated the Department of Education (DepEd) to operationalize both the newly established and upgraded schools, with funding support to be sourced from the annual General Appropriations Act.

The DepEd is further tasked with formulating and implementing rules and regulations within 90 days.

The measures were signed into law on September 5, 2025, and will take effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

| PCO-PND)

Four people, including the driver of an electric jeepney, were injured after the vehicle suddenly lurched forward and rammed into waiting passengers at the Robinsons South Terminal in Barangay 77 Fatima on Tuesday night, September 16.

Police identified the vehicle as a STAR8-V Electric Jeepney driven by alias “Lito,” 50, a resident of Barangay 62-A, Tacloban City. The injured commuters were identified as alias “Riza,” 33, a private employee; alias “Kaye,” 24, also a private employee, both from Palo, Leyte; and alias “Mae,” 22, unemployed, from Sta. Rita, Samar.

According to a report by Police Station 1 of the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO), the accident happened around 7 p.m. as the electric jeepney was parked at the terminal while commuters queued for their ride. For still unknown reasons, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward, hitting the three commuters and injuring the driver himself.

Emergency responders from Delta Ambulance and Tacloban Chamber Ambulance provided first aid and rushed the victims to Ace Medical Hospital for treatment.

The driver reportedly told police investigators he accidentally stepped on the accelerator. CCTV footage from the terminal showed the victims being dragged into a concrete wall upon impact.

The electric jeepney remained at the scene after the incident and was rendered inoperable due to heavy damage.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— Two suspects in the fatal shooting of an unemployed man in Barangay San Policarpo, Calbayog City were killed during a gunfight with pursuing police officers in Barangay Navarro on Sunday afternoon, September 14.

Police identified the fatalities as alias “Roger” Polon and alias “Reynante,” both married farmers and residents of Barangay Navarro.

The joint operation stemmed from a September 13 shooting incident in Barangay San Policarpo that killed “Mike,” 34, an unemployed resident. Acting on intelligence, operatives from various police units tracked the suspects in Barangay Navarro and tried to persuade them to surrender. Instead, the suspects reportedly opened fire, prompting police to return fire in self-defense.

Both men sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to Calbayog District Hospital, where they were pronounced dead by the attending physician.

Recovered from the scene were a caliber .45 pistol with ammunition, a caliber .38 revolver with live rounds, and several fired cartridge cases. The operation was documented on video in compliance with Supreme Court guidelines.

Police forensic teams processed the crime scene and conducted paraffin tests on the suspects at the hospital. Authorities said the operation demonstrates their commitment to swiftly resolve violent crimes and maintain peace and order in Calbayog City.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — To mark the 62nd Fish Conservation Week and promote healthy eating among schoolchildren, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the region has launched a feeding program featuring protein-rich tilapia meals in selected elementary schools across the region.

The initiative kicked off on September 18 at San Miguelay Elementary School in Sta. Fe, Leyte, where nearly 70 pupils enjoyed tilapia fillet, squash cooked in coconut milk, and rice prepared by the Regional Freshwater Aquaculture Production Center (RFAPC) in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd).

BFAR 8 OIC-Regional Director Dominador Maputol encouraged students to eat nutritious food to support their growth and learning. “Let’s eat healthy meals to stay strong and learn better in school,” he reminded the pupils.

Beyond the feeding program, BFAR is also introducing the idea of establishing school-based fishponds powered by solar hydraulic pumps in campuses with suitable areas for aquafarming. The concept aims to ensure sustainable, nutritious meals for students while serving as an income-generating project in partnership with Parents-Teachers Associations (PTAs).

According to BFAR, the program is designed not only to promote proper nutrition and food security but also to instill self-reliance, community participation, and awareness of aquaculture among young learners and their families.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)