Rebels attack disaster response truck in N. Samar

TACLOBAN CITY - A soldier was killed and three other government troopers were wounded when suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) attack a military disaster response truck in Northern Samar early Tuesday morning, hours before the start of 12-day unilateral ceasefire.

The military cargo truck was heading to the town center of Las Navas, carrying six soldiers tasked to deliver equipment for Las Navas Agro-Industrial School, a training center run by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The ambuscade took place in the remote village of Bukid around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

The firefight with undetermined number of suspected communist rebels lasted for 15 minutes, said Capt. Isagani Viernes, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division, based in Catbalogan City, Samar.

Las Navas, a fourth class farming town, is about 317 kilometers north from the regional capital of Tacloban.

Equipment are supposed to be used for disaster response in the town after typhoon "Nona’s" devastation.

Viernes refused to name the victims since their families are not yet informed about the incident. The army troops belong to the 20th Infantry Battalion based in Opong village, Catubig, Northern Samar.

Wounded soldiers were brought to hospitals in Tacloban City and in a district hospital in Catubig town in Northern Samar for treatment.

“Since the aftermath of typhoon Nona, we don’t have military offensive since our focus is on disaster response. Rebels are taking advantage on our operation,” Viernes said.

The rebels launched the attack before the 12-day holiday truce and four days after the ambuscade of a disaster response military in Pinabacdao, Samar.

President Benigno S. Aquino III has approved the recommendation of the Department of National Defense for the unilateral declaration of the Suspension of Military Operations (SOMO) against the NPA for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The SOMO will commence at 12:01 a.m. of December 23, 2015 and would end at 11:59 p.m. of January 3, 2016.

“We will be on defensive mode even if there’s SOMO because rebels traditionally mark their anniversary with atrocities,” Viernes added.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army will celebrate its 47th founding anniversary on Dec. 26. (PNA)

‘Nona’ kills man, leaves trail of destruction in Northern Samar

TACLOBAN CITY – Typhoon Nona left Northern Samar with at least one dead, after it unleashed its wrath on Monday that caused widespread power outages and communication network paralysis.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) identified the casualty as Pascual Ancente Jr., 31, of Allen Northern Samar. The victim died due to multiple wounds and head trauma when a galvanized iron sheet hit him.

The typhoon has displaced more than 5,000 in Northern Samar where typhoon Nona made its first landfall in Laoang town Monday noon.

At least 2,171 have been stranded in various ports in Northern Samar, Leyte, and Southern Leyte as the state weather bureau raise typhoon warning signals in these provinces.

The government is struggling to assess the extent of damage of typhoon Nona in Northern Samar due to power interruptions and absence of mobile phone signals.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said that some transmission lines in the province have experienced tripping as early as 9:26 a.m. on Monday.

Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director Edgar L. Posadas described the impact as “not good” in his text message during an ocular inspection Tuesday morning.

The typhoon left trails of destruction in the province, toppling several trees, destroying some houses, and rendering some sections of national roads impassable, according to the official.

“We are still gathering data on the impact of Nona in Northern Samar. Local disaster risk reduction and management council officials could not be reached via mobile phone, landline and email,” Posadas said.

Citing initial reports from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), road sections along Mapanas to Palapag and Allen to the provincial capital of Catarman have been impassable since Monday night.

On Tuesday morning, the DPWH cleared the Lope De Vega-Catarman road sections, making the province accessible from Calbayog City in Samar. (PNA)

‘Nona’ strands 2,054 passengers in Eastern Visayas; more LGUs suspend classes

TACLOBAN CITY– More than 2,000 passengers were stranded in Eastern Visayas seaports on Monday as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) halted sea travel due to typhoon nona.

The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) reported Monday noon that 2,054 passengers on board 203 buses, truck and light cars were stranded in ports in the provinces of Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte and Southern Leyte due to cancellation of 15 trips of roll-on roll-off vessels.

About 1,234 passengers are in Allen, Northern Samar, the region’s exit point to luzon, according to OCD regional director Edgar L. Posadas. Affected passengers in Leyte are all heading to Cebu.

The department of social welfare and development was urged to distribute food packs to affected passengers, who have been in ports since Sunday.

In its noontime report, the OCD said there were no reported casualties and missing persons in the six provinces of the region.

The weather disturbance has placed Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, and Samar under public warning storm signal number 3. Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces were under storm warning signal number 2 and 1, respectively.

Class suspensions

More local government units declared class suspension on Monday morning to ensure safety of learners as typhoon made its landfall in Northern Samar.

As early as Sunday afternoon, Northern Samar governor Jose Ong suspended classes in all levels as well as work in all government offices except those involved directly in disaster risk reduction and management.

In Catbalogan City, Samar, Mayor Stephany Uy Tan announced on Sunday afternoon the suspension of classes in the elementary and secondary.

In Calbayog city, Mayor Ronald Aquino issued an order for the suspension of classes in all levels both public and private schools.

City DRRM Council initial meeting this morning at the City Mayor's Conference Room.Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, CDRRMC Chairman, presided the meeting.
Posted by LGU Calbayog Bulletin on Sunday, December 13, 2015

Classes has been suspended in all levels in Biliran. The province, along with Northern Samar, Samar and Eastern Samar.

The state weather bureau has raised public storm warning signal no. 2 in Leyte, prompting the provincial government to declare suspension of classes in elementary and secondary levels, said Department of Education Leyte Division Superintendent Ronilo Al Firmo.

In Tacloban City, Mayor Alfred Romualdez suspended classes in all levels.

The suspension of classes is aimed at affording all residents in affected areas to prepare for the forthcoming storm and its consequences. (PNA)

Work in Provincial Government Offices SUSPENDED effective at 1:00 P.M. today pursuant to Memorandum Order No. 12-14-001 issued by the Office of the Governor.
Posted by Plo Eastern Samar on Sunday, December 13, 2015

Typhoon 'Nona maintains strength; makes landfall in Northern Samar

MANILA -- Typhoon "Nona" maintained its strength and has already made landfall in Northern Samar as it continues to move westward, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Monday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Shelley Igancio said typhoon Nona hit land in Batag Island in Northern Samar around 11 a.m.

Ignacio said as of 12 p.m. the eye of the typhoon Nona was located in the vicinity of Modragon, Northern Samar or 20 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar (12.6°N, 124.8°E), packed with maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

She also said the typhoon continues to move west at 17 kph, and if it maintains its speed and movement, it is expected to make another landfall in Sorsogon province early tonight, then cross Albay and Burias Island.

She further said the typhoon is expected to exit landmass by Wednesday and PAR on Friday towards southern Vietnam.

Nonot added the typhoon is expect to weaken due to interaction in landmass and presence of cold winds coming from the northeast monsoon.

Meanwhile, public storm warning signal (PSWS) no. 3 (121-170 kph expected in 18 hours) is raised over the provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands in Luzon; Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar and Biliran in Visayas.

Public storm warning signal no. 2 (61-120kph expected in 24 hours) is raised in the provinces of Camarines Norte, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Batangas, Laguna and Southern Quezon in Luzon and Leyte in the Visayas.

Signal no. 1 (30-60 kph expected in 36 hours) is hoisted over Metro Manila, Bataan, Bulacan, Lubang Island, Coron, Cavite, Rizal, the rest of Quezon including Polillo Island in Luzon; Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Aklan, Capiz, northern Negros Occidental and northern Iloilo in Visayas; Dinagat province and Siargao Island in Mindanao.

Flashfloods and landslides are expected over areas under signal # 2 and 3, while storm surges of up to 4 meters are possible.

The estimated rainfall amount is from heavy to at times intense within the 300 km diameter of the typhoon.

Typhoon Nona is expected to be in the vicinity of Gasan, Marinduque on Tuesday morning.

By Wednesday morning, it is forecast to be at 200 km west of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro and by Thursday morning, at 260 km West of Coron, Palawan

By Friday evening, it is expected to be at 370 km west of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and by Saturday evening, 735 km west southwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan or outside PAR. (PNA)

'Nona' intensifies into typhoon; 7 areas placed under Signal No. 2

MANILA – Seven areas in Luzon and the Visayas are now under Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) No. 2 as severe tropical storm “Nona” has intensified into a typhoon and is now moving in a westward direction, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday afternoon.

PAGASA defines a typhoon as an intense tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed exceeding 118 kilometers per hour (kph).

PAGASA weather forecaster Gener Quitlong told the Philippines News Agency that as of 4 p.m., the eye of typhoon "Nona" was located at 440 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar (12.3°N, 128.7°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of u
p to 170 kph.

Quitlong said the typhoon is moving westward at 19 kph and maintaining its speed and movement, it is expected to make landfall in Sorsogon province at around 9-11 a.m.on Monday.

PSWS No. 2 (61-120 kph winds expected in 24 hours) is hoisted over the provinces of Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon and Ticao Island in Luzon; Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Samar in the Visayas.

Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph winds expected in 36 hours) is raised over southern Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Masbate, including Burias Island in Luzon; Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte and Northern Cebu, including Camotes Island in the Visayas; and Dinagat province and Siargao Island in Mindanao.

Occasional rains and gusty winds will be experienced over the provinces under PSWS #1 while those under PSWS #2 will have stormy weather.

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas of the provinces with PSWS are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides.

The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 300-km diameter of the typhoon.

Qutilong said the state weather will possibly raise PSWS #1 over the rest of Southern Luzon, Aklan, Capiz and Metro Manila tonight.

He noted that Metro Manila is expected to come under Signal No. 2 by Monday night.

He said the state-run weather bureau also issued a gale warning due to the effects of typhoon "Nona" as the sea condition would be rough to very rough due to strong to gale force winds expected to affect the eastern seaboard of Luzon and the Visayas.

"Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," he said. (PNA)

Biggest red tide hits Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY -- Eastern Visayas region is threatened by what the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) described as the biggest red tide bloom that has not been seen in more than three decades.

BFAR Regional Director Juan Alabaladejo blamed the prolong dry season this year and sudden downpour as the major factor that triggered the bloom in eight bays and coastal waters, considered as the region’s major source of shellfish.

“If you’re to an aerial view of Samar Sea up to Biliran Sea, the color of water turned to copper red with a depth of six to nine meters, stretching up to a kilometer from the shoreline. This is the most widespread occurrence since 1983,” Albaladejo said in a phone interview.

The discoloration of seawater is triggered by massive population growth of few species of a type of algae that produce toxins.

Since mid-October, BFAR has been raising alert over Carigara Bay in Carigara, Barugo, San Miguel, Capoocan, and Leyte towns in Leyte province; Biliran Strait in Naval, Caibiran, Cabucgayan, Culaba, Kawayan, and Almeria in Biliran province; and coastal waters of Leyte, Leyte.

Red tide alert is also up over Cambatutay Bay in Tarangnan, Samar; Irong Irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Samar; Villareal Bay in Villareal, Samar; and Maqueda Bay in Jiabong, Catbalogan City, Motiong, Paranas, Pinabacdao, Hinabangan, San Sebastian, and Calbiga, Samar.

“The red tide occurrence has affected the livelihood of thousands of fishermen, but we have to strictly impose shellfish ban to safeguard public health,” said BFAR

Since mid November, the toxin found in shellfish harvested from contaminated bays, has already killed a seven-year old boy and downed 22 others in Leyte and Biliran provinces, according to the Department of Health (DOH)

The boy from the coastal San Mateo village in Carigara town succumbed on Nov. 30 after eating univalve shellfish harvested from the bay contaminated with algae.

The other six members of his family also manifested symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning, but survived, according to DOH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Minerva Molon.

In San Mateo village alone, red tide has downed 16 people. The nearby village of Minuhang in Barugo town has recorded four cases of poisoning with one victim still confined at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in this city.

Two victims were also downed on Nov. 28 in Naval, Biliran or a week after BFAR issued a shellfish bulletin, placing Biliran Strait as red tide-affected area.

All victims have experienced vomiting, dizziness, numbness of extremities, and paralysis.

Molon said that one mortality is very alarming considering that there have been repeated warnings from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

“Some victims were not able to hear warnings. I think verbal announcement is not enough, they should print it and post the announcement in strategic areas,” Molon added.

Albaladejo said the reading for waters in Carigara Bay and in Biliran is 9,000 and 12,000 cells per liter, respectively. This is way above the 10 cells per liter during normal situations.

The official has called on the public to heed government warnings not to harvest, transport, trade, and eat any kind of shellfish contaminated with algae. (PNA)