Calbayog stores reject mutilated banknotes

CALBAYOG CITY -– Private establishments in this city refused to accept the money with stickers and staple markings as payment to purchases of customers.

Thousands of money with stickers of candidates and stapled on sample ballot, has been circulating in this city day since Saturday.

Kahlen Dalac, selling supervisor of Centro Mall Calbayog said that they have received payments from customers with stickers and staple markings, but they refused to accept it.

“Most of our customers have been using money with stickers of candidates name and other with staple markings, in paying the items they purchased, but we refused to accept the money,” Dalac said.

“We are just following the bank’s advise that no stickers or staple markings on the peso bills and that they will not accept it for deposit,” she added.

Other big establishments in the city have placed visible notice in their respective places regarding said advisory.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has been informing the public of its continuous implementation of the ‘Clean Note Policy’ and to intensify the awareness of the said policy to emphasize the importance of the Philippine currency for it represents our country and the Filipino people.

The BSP reminded the public that commercial banks will rejec
t banknotes with staple wires and stickers.

Under Presidential Decree (PD) No. 247 defacing, mutilating, tearing, or partially burning or destroying Philippine banknotes by any means is prohibited.

Stickers, stamped markings, writings, or staple wires on bank notes are unacceptable. PD No. 247 or the Anti-Mutilation Law penalizes anyone who violates the law with a fine of Php20,000 or by imprisonment of not more than five years. (PNA) PGL/SQM/JENNIFER SUMAGANG-ALLEGADO/EGR

San Jorge mayoralty candidate hurt in shooting incident

CALBAYOG CITY -- A mayoralty candidate and his companion in the town of San Jorge in Samar were shot by threemen early Monday morning.

Councilor Lester Bisnar, 48, who is running under Nacionalista Party, and his companion Noel Javolin, 37 gunshot wounds in the leg were brought to a nearby hospital.

San Jorge police cief Sr. Insp. Genaro Nabual said the incident happened around 4:15 a.m. at the town’s Anquiana village while the victims were on board of a van from Catbalogan City.

Nabual said that based on their initial investigation and accounts of eye witnesses, suspects were identified as Stephen Grey, Norman Bernales and Emmanual Pacampara.

The local police launched a manhunt operation to arrest the suspects. Authorities eye politics as one of the angle on the motive behind the attack. (PNA)

AFP deploys troops to thwart NPA intimidation in Samar

MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines has deployed troops in two barangays in Samar following reports of two incidents of election-related intimidation carried out by the New People's Army (NPA) in the province.

This was disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla in a briefing Thursday.

"We have received two separate reports of intimidation involving the New People’s Army. (The first which occurred on) May 4, more or less 20 NPAs hauled around 30 residents of Barangay De-it in Matuguinao, Samar, all of which were political leaders of a mayoralty candidate," he added.

"(While the second incident involves) around 15 fully-armed NPAs were also seen in Barangay Candomacol, Motiong, Samar campaigning for the candidacy of a presidential candidate and a senatorial candidate. The group of rebels threatened to execute barangay officials if their endorsed candidates lose in their respective areas. Further reports said that the residents in Barangays Calapi, Bunga, and Malobago in Motiong, Samar requested additional AFP presence due to the NPA members in the area," Padilla revealed.

While no shots were fired on both incidents, he said the AFP has responded to these reports and continues to monitor threat groups who terrorize local communities to ensure the safe and secure conduct of the May 9 elections. (PNA)

Samelco 1 readies contingency plan to ensure brown-out free polls

CALBAYOG CITY -- Samar 1 Electric Cooperative (Samelco 1) laid up its contingency plan to ensure no
power interruption before and during Monday’s elections and until proclamation of winning candidates.

Samelco 1 general manager Sandy Montero said that Task Force Halalan 2016 was created to ensure delivery of reliable, efficient round the clock service during “protected time” to secure substations, distribution lines and power structures, to effectively and productively carry out maintenance tasks and respond accordingly to urgent, emergency call and requests as needed.

Weeks before the elections, the power distribution firm utility has implemented preventive maintenance maintenance in its three substations – Capoocan, Palanas-Cara and San Agustin.

They also conducted clearing overhead and under brushing, repair leaning poles and critical lines, line patrol of the whole coverage area. Said activities were implemented in the whole coverage area of Samelco 1 including the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) in the island towns of Sto. Nino, Almagro and Tagapul-an.

“We inspected the schools that will be used as polling centers and made sure that power lines are in place and in good condition to avoid power interruptions that will disrupt the conduct of elections.” Montero said.

Starting Sunday, all SAMELCO 1 personnel, especially their linemen in the three substations and SPUG in the island towns will be on standby.

Montero said that service vehicles will also be on standby for monitoring and to respond to calls in case there is an emergency.

Meanwhile, Montero said that despite all these preparations, still they cannot assure that power interruptions will be avoided during the conduct of elections.

“We ask for the cooperation of our consumers, the general public to please avoid activities like cutting of trees or ‘kaingin’ that may interrupt our power supply,” Engr. Montero said.

Samelco 1 is servicing the areas of Calbayog City, Gandara, Matuguinao, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Sta. Margarita, Tarangnan and the island towns of Sto. Nino, Tagapul-an and Almagro in Samar province. (PNA)

Cops to disband more private armies in Samar

TACLOBAN CITY, April 13 (PNA) –- The Philippine National Police is stepping up their drive to disband 97 suspected members of private armed groups in Samar less than a month before the May 9 elections.

PNP Eastern Visayas Regional Director Chief Supt. Jose Erwin Villacorte said that they may not be able to arrest all suspected private armies, the police managed to neutralize their activities through manhunt operations.

“Most of them are not anymore in Samar. They’re now hiding because of so many raids we have launched,” Villacorte said.

During the first quarter of 2016, the Regional Special Operations Task Group nabbed 11 out of 39 PAGs members with warrant of arrest. During these operations, the police have recovered nine assorted firearms.

Reports reaching the police regional headquarters show that private armed groups (PAGS) with 158 firearms thrive in Calbayog City and nearby towns within the first congressional district of Samar province.

Montealto group based in Calbayog City has the most number of members at 65, followed by Moloboco group with a force of 44 armed men based in nearby Sta. Margarita town. These two groups are in control of 129 firearms.

Private armies are also present in Matuguinao, San Jorge, and Gandara towns. These areas have been consistently identified as hotspot every election period.

PAGs have been reportedly used by some politicians in Samar province to harass their opponent’s political leaders and intimidate voters. (PNA)

Army commits anew to peaceful, orderly May 9 polls

CATBALOGAN CITY, April 13 (PNA) –- The Philippine Army in Samar province reiterated their stand to stay non-partisan this election season while ensuring peaceful and orderly polls in remote communities.

Col. Perfecto Rimando, the Army’s 801st brigade commander based in Hinabangan, Samar said that they recently initiated a peace covenant among candidates in the province as part of soldier’s effort for clean and honest elections.

“Being your Army in Samar province, we will do our mandated task for this political exercise to ensure orderly and peaceful elections. We will abide all the regulations set forth by Commission on Elections as a deputized law enforcement agency,” Rimando said.

The army official told candidates during the signing of peace covenant on Monday that soldiers will remain apolitical and committed to ensure the safety of candidates and help civilians freely exercise their political rights.

“We are here to protect the voting public so that they will cast their votes without intimidation on May 9, 2016,” Rimando added.

The Army have been stepping up their watch against rebels and private armies, whose strength may be used by politicians to threat voters.

The Army-initiated peace covenant signing is backed Comelec, Calbayog Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police, and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.

Samar is the only province in Eastern Visayas that is under the election watchlist area of the poll body.

Running for top provincial position are incumbent Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan-de los Santos who is seeking re-election for third term under Nacionalista Party.

Her opponent is former military intelligence officer Emil Soza of the ruling Liberal Party.

Both candidates were present at the peace covenant signing. This is the first time that they were seen together in a same event since they filed their candidacy.

Other candidates who attended the peace covenant signing were Vice-Governor Stephen James Tan, younger brother of Gov. Tan and their mother, Samar 2nd district representative Milagrosa Tan.

Congressional bets in the 1st district Edgar Sarmiento and Calbayog City Councilor Raymund Uy were also present during the peace pact signing

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez urged the military and police to be the guardian of peace, adheres allegiance to flag and people and defend the life of the citizenry.

“Credible election will create a credible government,” Abarquez added. (PNA)

Cops to disband more private armies in Samar

TACLOBAN CITY, April 13 (PNA) –- The Philippine National Police is stepping up their drive to disband 97 suspected members of private armed groups in Samar less than a month before the May 9 elections.

PNP Eastern Visayas Regional Director Chief Supt. Jose Erwin Villacorte said that they may not be able to arrest all suspected private armies, the police managed to neutralize their activities through manhunt operations.

“Most of them are not anymore in Samar. They’re now hiding because of so many raids we have launched,” Villacorte said.

During the first quarter of 2016, the Regional Special Operations Task Group nabbed 11 out of 39 PAGs members with warrant of arrest. During these operations, the police have recovered nine assorted firearms.

Reports reaching the police regional headquarters show that private armed groups (PAGS) with 158 firearms thrive in Calbayog City and nearby towns within the first congressional district of Samar province.

Montealto group based in Calbayog City has the most number of members at 65, followed by Moloboco group with a force of 44 armed men based in nearby Sta. Margarita town. These two groups are in control of 129 firearms.

Private armies are also present in Matuguinao, San Jorge, and Gandara towns. These areas have been consistently identified as hotspot every election period.

PAGs have been reportedly used by some politicians in Samar province to harass their opponent’s political leaders and intimidate voters. (PNA)
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

Robinsons to begin Ormoc mall construction this year

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, April 14 (PNA) -- Propoerty developer Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) will proceed with the construction of a mall in this city within the year as part of its provincial expansion.

RLC regional manager Ditas Taleon met with Mayor Edward Codilla this week to inform the city government about their plan to start the construction of a full-service mall within the year.

The mall will rise on a 12.2-hectare property in Cogon village, some 2.2 kilometers north of downtown.

Aside from opening economic and employment opportunities, the mall will reinforce Ormoc’s status as the trading hub of west coast Leyte.

Ormoc is one the sites identified by RLC for their provincial expansion, which is up for opening in 2017.

Other sites are Tuguegarao in Cagayan, Naga in Camarines Sur, Valencia in Bukidnon, Cabangcalan in Negros Occidental, Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija, Calbayog in Samar, Abucay in Tacloban and Pavia in Iloilo.

In a statement, RLC said they acquired properties after they have studied the demographics of the area, bank deposits, competitor, population of the market, and accessibility of the location.

In 2012, Robinsons opened a supermarket located on Aviles St. in the middle of the city’s central business district.

Codilla hopes the group’s visit will bolster the business-friendliness being projected by his administration.(PNA)

Gun ban yields 248 firearms in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, April 14 (PNA) -- The number of firearms seized by the police in Eastern Visayas has risen to 248 as they step up gun ban implementation ahead of May 9 polls.

Checkpoints and series of police operations led to the arrest of 257 persons in different parts of the region, said Chief Insp. Ma. Bella D. Rentuaya, secretary directorial staff of the police regional office, here.

“As the election day nears, we have strengthened the implementation of gun ban to ensure peaceful and orderly polls,” Rentuaya said in a mobile phone interview.

Of the 248 confiscated as of Wednesday, 155 are bladed weapons, 101 are short firearms, 14 explosives, and six light weapons.

At least 32 cases have been filed in courts, 148 cases filed in prosecutor’s office, and 68 cases are either under investigation or scheduled for filing.

Leyte had the most number of arrests with 105 seized firearms.

Police confiscated 39 weapons in Samar, 28 in Tacloban City, 24 in Northern Samar, 21 in Eastern Samar, 19 in Southern Leyte, 14 in Ormoc City and eight in Biliran.

“The gun ban has been helping us a lot. It gives the people the assurance that we are closely watching those who will commit crimes through checkpoints,” said Chief Supt. Jose Erwin T. Villacorte in a press briefing earlier.

Under Commission on Elections Resolution No. 10015, it is an election offense to bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons –whether licensed or not– in public places during the election period from January 10 to June 18 this year.

The offense is punishable with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years. (PNA)

Poe vows to rehabilitate Eastern Samar Hospital

MANILA -- Reiterating her commitment to health, Sen. Grace Poe on Thursday vowed to infuse resources into the Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital to help the facility address the health needs of one of the poorest provinces in the country.

Poe, who continues to lead pre-election surveys as the voters’ choice for president, brought her campaign for “Gobyernong may Puso” to Borongan, Samar Thursday morning, where she visited the public market and public hospital.

“Galing lamang ako sa inyong provincial hospital at nakita ko kung gaano kadami ang kailangang gawin ng gobyerno para maayos ang serbisyo sa ating mga ospital,” Poe told the media.

”Kapag merong nagkakasakit, kapag malala ang sakit hindi na maihahabol pa sa malalayong lugar; dapat dito mismo sa inyong ospital ay mabigyan sila ng lunas agad. Dapat may gamot dahil may mga ibang gamot na wala dito,” she said.

Eastern Samar is the 16th poorest province in the country, according to the 2015 survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released last month. Four of 10 people in the province are living below the poverty line.

Poe said she went to Borongan, which has a relatively small population of voters, because she remembers it as one of the places that welcomed her father, the late movie icon Fernando Poe Jr., when he ran for president in 2004.

“Ang aking tatay ‘nung pumunta dito, sabi nila, talagang naglabasan lahat ng tao at punong-puno ang lugar kung saan siya ay nagsalita. Bihirang may pumunta dito noon pero si FPJ ay pumunta dito. Alam niyo kung bakit? Sapagkat ang inyong probinsiya ay patuloy pa ring maraming naghihirap dito,” she said.

“Kung ako ay magiging pangulo, hindi papabayaan ang Borongan. Dadami ang trabaho dito; aayusin natin ang ospital; at bibigyan natin ng mas maraming proyekto ang inyong probinsya,” the senator promised.

In an interview with media following her hospital visit, Poe was asked whether she believes she has a chance of convincing Eastern Samar’s 300,819 registered voters to support her.

“Ang importante naman po ay kung anong gusto ng tao. Kaya naman kami’y umiikot dahil hindi naman hawak ng iilang tao lamang ang damdamin ng mga botante,” Poe said.

“Nakita natin patuloy pa rin ang paghihirap. Balewala ang partido. Dapat isang leader na may malasakit,” she said. (Jelly F. Musico/PNA)

Samar gov to cops: Act up, solve shooting incidents

MESSAGE OF GOVERNOR SHAREE ANN TAN RE SAMAR SHOOTING INCIDENTS
Posted by Samar Province on Wednesday, April 6, 2016

CATBALOGAN CITY-- Governor Sharee Ann Tan sternly called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the region to act up and solve the recent spate of shooting incidents that occurred in Calbayog City.

Tan’s call came with a plea to implement law and order in the area without bias to existing political parties in the province. A number of the governor’s family members is vying for high posts in Samar province including the mayoralty seat in Calbayog City, under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.

Tan claimed that not only is the police yet to resolve the spate of killings, most of the victims of which are known supporters of the Tan family, but has also failed to fairly and equally implement law and order.

Among the recent incidents that occurred in Calbayog City involved Rogelio Salvame, 42, a Nacionalista Party organizer in Barangay Guimbauyan Norte, who survived a shooting spree on Sunday morning.

Salvame claimed he was able to identify the gunman who sprayed him with bullets. He said the gunman is on the top list of the police most wanted and is purportedly a supporter of a close rival of the Tans.

Meanwhile, Tan said that it is quite puzzling that most, if not all, of the victims of these shooting incidents are coming from their camp and the police have failed to resolve them.

Tan also asked the police not to allow themselves to be used by politicians and succumb to pressures by other high government officials and be hindered in their honest dispatch of duty.

“Campaign is only for a few weeks and the election is only for a period of time. It is not enough reason to allow themselves to be used for political ambitions,” Tan said.

She also slammed the police for allegedly downplaying the number of shooting incidents that recently occurred and accounting it instead to land disputes and personal motives.

A recent press briefing by the PNP regional office revealed a total of 18 shooting incidents happened in Samar province from January to March of this year. However, PNP-8 Regional Director Chief Supt. Jose Erwin Villacorte said this figure is “not alarming”.

Tan also expressed her disappointment with the spate of shooting incidents even when politicians have signed a peace covenant to stop violence and ensure a peaceful conduct of the election.

“I am calling on the police not just the authorities, but the people, as well as the cooperation of everyone, to remind them not to resort to violence and to respect the dignity of life,” Tan said. (PNA)

Calbayog LP bets kick off campaign

Photo grab from Miles Vasquez Santos Facebook Account

CALBAYOG CITY -- Local Liberal Party (LP) candidates kicked off their campaign in this city on Monday, promising to continue unfinished tasks.

Re-electionist Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino led the campaign kick-off through a motorcade around the city and ended with a proclamation rally at the city’s plaza.

“We’re not finished yet with our job and we still have more that we have to do,” said Aquino, who is running against Angelie Tan, a member of one of the influential political clans in Samar province.

Joining them were Samar gubernatorial candidate Emil Zosa and first district congressional bet Edgar Mary Sarmiento, and candidates for board members.

Aquino acknowledged the police for a job well done in keeping peace and order in the city especially in pursuing private armed groups.

According to Aquino, his pro-business, pro-growth policies enabled the city to boost its economy, but he has other goals to accomplish as city chief executive.

“We can’t take our economy for granted. The path to success does not need a new program, huge spending or additional burden to our taxpayers, but rather it must be built with hard work of entrepreneurs around our city,” Aquino said.

Calbayog, the hometown of Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento is one of the commercial trade centers in Samar Island. It is subdivided into three major districts - Calbayog, Tinambacan and Oquendo. (PNA)

Improvements on Sohoton Cave lined up

BASEY, Samar, -- More improvements are now on the pipeline for the Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge National Park in this town in the bid to draw more tourists.

Photo from Spark Samar Facebook Page 

Basey Tourism Officer Evangeline Ritaga said they are highly considering the recommendation of the Tourism Promotions Board officials who toured the park last year.

Experts found that the site is very attractive to tourists, but its amenities and available services is not yet ready for international market.

The local government unit and the Department of Tourism will take the lead in the improvement projects.

Part of the development that will be done to give better services to visiting tourists is the improvement of tour guiding and food handling services, according to Ritaga.

“The local government unit has made some initiatives, but we are limited with funding constraints,” Ritaga said.

Ritaga noted that since the Samar provincial government initiated the Spark Samar campaign, tourist arrivals in Sohoton went up to 3,259 in 2015 from 865 in 2014.

“We are very thankful to Governor Sharee Ann Tan for doing the campaign but of course this will not be a success without the help of other government agencies like the Department of Tourism and the private sector that had started to come to us to offer help in the promotion of Sohoton,” Ritaga added.

The increase of tourist arrival in Sohoton is attributed by DOT Regional Director Karian Rosa Tiopes to proper coordination between tourism stakeholders.

“This is what happens when provincial and town governments, national line agencies, private sector and communities converge, act together, dedicate time and effort and work for a shared goal to make tourism happen,” said Tiopes.

Last January, ABS-CBN Foundation opened an eco-lodge for tourists who will stay overnight near the natural park.

“The challenge now is for the local organization, Basey local government and residents to enhance the quality service, preservation of natural resources, practice good values to sustain the momentum and increase the arrivals and earnings,” Tiopes added.

Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge National Park are located within the Samar Island Natural Park, one of the top tourist destination in this province.

Sohoton Cave can be reached from Tacloban through a 45-minute drive passing through the picturesque San Juanico Bridge. A boat would take visitors from the take off point in Guirang village to the cave. (PNA)

44 Eastern Visayas town under election watchlist

TACLOBAN CITY -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has tagged 44 towns in Eastern Visayas as election watchlist areas in relation to the May 9 elections.

In the list of areas of concern list are 15 towns in Samar, 12 towns in Leyte, nine in Northern Samar, seven in Eastern Samar, and one in Biliran.

Sr. Supt. Brigido Unay, chief of the police regional intelligence division, said these places of concern have been consistently included in the past elections.

“These have been categorized as areas of concern because of past and recent election-related violence, presence of private armed groups, intense political rivalry and insurgency problem,” Unay said.

Calbayog City and all towns within the first legislative district of Samar are included in the areas of concern. These are Almagro, Gandara, Matuguinao, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Santa Margarita, Santo Niño, Tagapul-an, Tarangnan.

Outside Samar’s first district identified in the watch list are Hinabangan, Paranas, Pinabacdao, San Jose de Buan, and Tarangnan.

The police official declined to disclose the specific areas in Leyte, Biliran, Northern Samar and Eastern included in the watch list for 2016 polls, but he said the list are the same in 2013.

Listed as hotspots in the last elections are Baybay and Ormoc cities and the towns of Bato, Inopacan, Kananga, Matag-ob, Tabango, San Miguel, Albuera, Burauen, Carigara, and Jaro in Leyte.

In Eastern Samar, these areas are Arteche, Taft, Can-avid, Dolores, Hernani, General MacArthur, Jipapad and Quinapondan.

In Northern Samar, these places are Bobon, Catubig, Mapanas, Mondragon, Palapag, San Isidro, Gamay, Las Navas, Lavezares, Lope de Vega, Pambujan, Capul and Victoria. The only town in Biliran province tagged as watchlist in the past elections was Kawayan.

Only the Southern Leyte province was not included in the police areas of concern this year.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Regional Director Jose Nick Mendros said there will be more deployment of police in these areas to ensure peaceful, orderly, and honest elections.

“More intensified checkpoints will be implemented in these areas to help prevent the occurrence of election-related violence,” Mendros added.

The Comelec, PNP, and the Philippine Army has stepped up security measures for the May 9, 2016 polls with the election period kick off on Sunday. (PNA)

Tacloban bizmen braces for full launch of San Juanico cruise

photo from wikepedia

TACLOBAN CITY -- The business group behind conceptualizing the cruise from downtown to San Juanico Bridge, the country’s longest, is looking for more investors to make the tourism activity up and running by summer.

Oliver Cam, consultant of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Eastern Visayas Business Recovery Center, said the planned regular cruise tour from the city port to the famous San Juanico Bridge is still on hold, given the absence of boats that match the standard for cruise tourism.

“We initially have two 60-footer fiber glass boats donated to fishermen. These are fishing boats. In order for them to be converted to a cruise boat, they have to undergo the conversion process. We are still gathering enough funds,” Cam told PNA.

For each fishing boat, an additional PHP300,000 investment is needed to convert it for tourism, including the acquisition of additional equipments such as life vest, emergency ramp, two-way communication, and night navigation lighting system.

“We want to make those boats up to standards because we have histories in the Philippines that boats are not safely operated. In this case, we want to make an exception. We want to show that we can do this very safe. That’s why we are very strict in adhering standards,” Cam explained.

The business group, in partnership with the Department of Tourism held a soft launch for the San Juanico Cruise early November. Since then, the group have been doing promotional tour every weekend.

“The promotional tour is our way of trying to get enough support and build up the market,” Cam added.

DOT Regional Karina Rosa Tiopes said the initial plan was to build a jetty port in Magsaysay Boulevard for the cruise, but with the absence of funds, the group tapped the existing city port.

“We are marketing San Juanico as the main attraction, because this not just the longest bridge in the country, but this is also an engineering marvel,” Tiopes said.

“We are happy that the government and private sector are on board to add new tourism products not just for the city, but for neighboring areas in Samar. We cannot be a standalone destination because there are less natural resources
in the city.”

The 18-kilometer route of the cruise starts from downtown area in Tacloban City then under the majestic 2.1 kilometer San Juanico Bridge that links Leyte and Samar province. It takes about two hours to complete the trip either for sunrise or sunset.

The promotional rate is PHP550 promo for each of the 15 participants, inclusive of breakfast or dinner.

Stations will also be put in place to showcase the different sceneries in the area. Floating restaurants are also planned to be put up in some parts of Samar.

If there are no tourists, the boat can also be used to transport passengers from downtown to relocation sites in the northern part of the city.

The business group conceptualized the new tourism product to help fisher folks in new relocation sites to have alternative sources of income. (PNA)

Comelec notes drop in number of registered voters for 2016 polls in Samar

Voters Registration (File photo from www.catbalogan.gov.ph)

CALBAYOG CITY -- A total of 490,420 names appeared on the final list of registered voters for the May 9, 2016 elections in Samar province, lower than what the Commission on Elections (Comelec) recorded two years ago.

The drop in the number of voters, according to the Comelec, was the result of the cleansing/deactivation of some voters due to absence of biometric data, unable to vote for the past two elections as well as the transfer of registration of some voters to other places.

Among the 24 towns and two cities in the province, this city remains a vote-rich area with 110,028 registered voters.

Other top five areas with high-voting population are Catbalogan City (60,033), Basey (31,643), Daram (25,607), and Sta. Rita (24,877).

Samar province has 951 villages. It has a total of 3,385 established precincts and 1,165 clustered precincts.

Meanwhile, the local police has already stepped up its plan to secure the peace and order of the province for the coming elections.

In Calbayog City, city police chief Supt. Salvador Tagle said that stricter conduct of checkpoint will be implemented starting Jan. 10 as election period starts. Gun ban will be enforced during this period.

Tagle calls on the support and cooperation of the public for the smooth conduct of checkpoints.

“We would like to appeal to the public to support the authorities and follow what are prohibited during the election period, especially carrying of guns,” he added. (PNA)

Firecracker injuries in E. Visayas climb to 79

THE Department of Health (DOH) reported 79 fireworks-related injuries during the New Year festivities in Eastern Visayas.

This is slightly higher than last year but the agency did not hesitate to call its anti-firecracker drive successful.

Roderick Boyd Cerro, chief of the DOH regional epidemiology and surveillance unit, said all cases are minor blasts and there was no single victim of stray bullet.

Majority or 80 percent of cases were injured due to "piccolo" ignited by children below 11 years old.

“We still consider the 'Iwas Paputok' campaign successful since injuries this year were less serious than in the previous years,” he said.

Of the 79 injuries, 37 were reported in Northern Samar, 24 in Eastern Samar, 12 in Leyte, five in Samar, and one in Southern Leyte.

The typhoon-hit Northern Samar recorded the highest injuries in the region after typhoon Nonan hit the province.

The heatlth department said more Filipinos were spared of firework-related injuries as the country welcomed the New Year.

In a press release, DOH reported a total of 384 fireworks-related injuries as of 6:00 AM, January 1, 2016.

Of the total 384 cases, 380 were from fireworks/firecrackers, 4 from stray bullets, and no case of fireworks/firecrackers ingestion. 219 out of 380 injuries were caused by Piccolo, a prohibited firecracker in the country. Other firecrackers causing injuries were from 5 star with four percent, Kwitis with nine percent, Luces with four percent, and other unknown firecrackers on five percent.

The government has launched its monitoring of Christmas and New Year revelries on December 16, 2014 and will conclude on January 5, 2015. (PNA with SNR)

Mayor supporter shot in Calbayog days after PNP chief talked to city police

DILG Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento and PNP chief Ricardo Marquez during thr consultative meeting in Ciraco Hotel in Calbayog last Dec. 28, 2015 (Photo courtesy of DYOG Radyo ng Bayan Calbayog Facebook Page)

CALBAYOG CITY -- A political supporter in this city was hurt in a shooting incident on Wednesday, two days after Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ricardo Marquez personally ordered local cops here to stop violence.

The police identified the victim as Jojo Taduyo, 28, whose brother, a village official in this city, was slain earlier this year.

The suspects, who were riding a motorcycle, shot the victim on Wednesday afternoon along the main road in Carayman village.

Gunmen, however, failed to fatally hit the victim because an unidentified policeman, who was reportedly present at the crime scene was able to return fire to the suspects.

As of this posting, police report says the victim is still confined in a hospital for treatment.
The shooting incident came two days after Marquez personally ordered the local police here to stop election-related violence and neutralize private armed groups (PAGS).

Marquez and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento were in the city to meet civil society groups to tackle political killings committed by PAGS.

Samar now is one of the six provinces in the country placed by the police under election watch list for 2016 polls.

In the 2010 elections, police managed to neutralize the activities of the “Moloboco” and the “Montealto” private armed groups, however, remnants of such according to the police remain and reportedly now being maintained by some identified politician in Samar.
PNP said they have the list of some members of the group and they are now taking steps to neutralize their activity.
Marquez noted that elections in Samar come with a high price and more often bloody. “Things get violent as desperate politicians cling to power by using private armies during election.”

Marquez said that one company of the elite police group Special Action Force (SAF) will be deployed in the city starting January 2016.

Four months ago in Victory village, this city, five members of Regulacion family, including children, were brutally killed in what would be the most gruesome election-related violence in Samar.
Since January 2015 to present, the city police here recorded 23 killings.

“Failure to address private armies puts political opponents and ordinary civilians at continued risk from powerful local politicians,” Marquez added.

“The police must be beyond the influence of politicians in their respective areas and need to enforce the full force of the law without fear or favor,” he added.

Meanwhile, Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino said Samar is mourning for peace. The latest shooting victim is reportedly the mayor’s supporter.

“We are against any form of terroristic act here and we are obliged to be against it together,” Aquino said. “This is an attack on our unity and peace.”

Aquino urged the people to be vigilant and to be very watchful to those people responsible for the killings. (PNA/with SNR)