Week-long hunt nets 277 wanted persons in east Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 26  -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas has netted 277 wanted persons with warrants of arrest in a record-breaking, one-week operation that started Sept. 17.

PNP Regional Director, Chief Supt. Gilbert Cruz, said Monday that when he assumed office last August 30, he noticed the huge number of warrants of arrest, prompting him to launch a massive simultaneous operation midnight of September 17 in all six provincial offices and two city police offices.

The arrest conducted in the region’s six provinces involved cases ranging from murder and drug-related cases to rape and robbery.

Among those arrested were Domingo Agot, the number six most wanted person in Kananga, Leyte.

He was charged with murder and has a standing warrant of arrest dated September 13, 1999 or 18 years ago.

Cruz expressed appreciation to the informants for their courage and cooperation with the police leading the PNP to arrest the wanted persons and put them behind bars.

The remarkable arrest rate showed a 500 percent increase from those arrested between January to August 2017.

These included 36 for theft; 32 for murder; homicide, 29; rape, 18; robbery, 13; and physical injuries, 11.

The highest performing office was the Leyte police provincial office that netted 97 persons.

There were 130 arrests for violations of special laws or non-index crimes. (VCA/PNA)

Army to bring ‘Tsinelas para sa Kapayaan’ to Mindanao again

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 23 -- Army major Arturo Dumalagan and his fellow soldiers are off on another mission, this time armed with hundreds of pairs of flip flops.

“We try to win the hearts and minds of the community where ambush and landmines frequently happen,” said Dumalagan, who is assigned to the Office of Civil Military Operations, 8th Infantry Division based in Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar.

Dumalagan, who has been in the service for 17 years, said on Friday that he is “looking forward to reaching a milestone of giving 5,000 pairs of slippers or more” to children in poor and conflict areas through their “Tsinelas para sa Kapayapaan (flip flops for peace)" initiative.

The gift-giving of slippers started on November 8, 2016, in Patikul, Sulu after they were ambushed by the notorious bandit group Abu Sayyaf, Dumalagan said.

Since the founding of the outreach project, they have already distributed 4,081 pairs of flip flops -- Sulu island, 3, 471; Southern Leyte, 200; Northern Samar, 250; and Maasin City, 160.

“The flip flops we give is just a part of our motivation for the children to study hard and finish their schooling. It is not a simple gift but a ribbon tied on your finger,” said the 43-year-old military officer, who  came from a poor family and eventually worked his way out from hardship by finishing his studies as a working student.

“I am a living proof that poverty is not a hindrance for our dream but a challenge for all of us to overcome,” Dumalagan said.

Now married with two children, Dumalagan rose from his military career through hard work and determination.

For their next outreach project, he said they have two schools in Mindanao waiting for their gifts of flip flops.

He said they welcome donation for their outreach project either in cash or in kind.

"Tsinelas Para Sa Kapayapaan knows no boundaries as long as our sponsors are able to provide we can accommodate all who ask for their share and of course we prioritize the poorest of the poor school children in the far flung areas."

On July 8, Dumalagan’s advocacy was recognized during the Regional Youth Summit in Ormoc City.

Dumalagan said that “Tsinelas para sa Kapayapaan" also received an award for “uplifting the morale of youth in Sulu Peninsula by giving them sports equipment that greatly changes their way of life."

He said the support they give has led the youths away from the use of illegal drugs. It has also eased their sorrow as they struggle to survive amid the armed conflict in their area, Dumalagan said.

“Our advocacy for the young children who will become a new breed of a young generation in the near future will bridge us to the path of an everlasting peace in 'Land of Promise’ where souls and blood of our fellow countrymen lie in agony of unending war on terrorism,” Dumalagan added.(ROR/PNA)

DOH backs Tacloban’s drug-free city bid

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 22 -- The Department of Health (DOH) has expressed support to the city government’s “New Beginnings for Change Program” designed to rehabilitate drug dependents.

Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial told local officials here Thursday that she is upbeat that the city will achieve the drug-free status.

"The war on drugs anchors on the belief that people can change, people can be reformed. Through this program, drug dependents will have a hope of a better future,” Ubial said during the summit at the City Convention Center here.

The official asked concerned agencies to continue to work to completely eliminate the drug menace in the regional capital.

Report from the city police showed that of the 138 villages in the city, 36 have been declared as drug-cleared areas and 11 have been certified as drug-free.

As of end of August 2017, the city has 4,402 drug personalities who surrendered to the local police.

“The New Beginnings Program” is a local government-led drug rehabilitation program aims to prevent the distribution of drugs and help in the recovery of users.

Ubial pointed out that illegal drugs use is not just a security or a criminality issue, but a chronic and recurring mental health illness.

"We believe that we cannot do this alone, this war against drugs. We need the entire community, the police, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the jail guards, the anti-narcotics agents, the social workers, and the teachers,” Ubial added.

Heads of national government agencies, key city government officials, government workers, and village officials joined the summit that concluded late Thursday afternoon.

Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez said that the “New Beginnings for Change Program” is the city government’s holistic approach in dealing with the drug menace in the city.

“This is a manifestation of our passion to see a drug-cleared Tacloban where people are empowered to thrive and experience an improved quality life,” she added.

The program goes beyond the fight against illegal drugs as it incorporates other focus area of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, the mayor said.

The summit was an expression of unity and synergy toward building of changed lives. (LAAA/with reports from Pearl Marie L. Ecaldre, OJT/PNA)

DOH to kick off safe holidays drive

PALO, Leyte, Sept. 23  -- The Department of Health (DOH) regional office will start next month its campaign against use of firecrackers this coming holiday season in Eastern Visayas.

DOH senior health program officer Laura Pajares, during Friday's press briefing, said they have been asking local government officials to hold community fireworks display (CFD) for safe holiday celebrations in December.

The DOH will conduct public service announcements, press conferences, posting of info graphics and streamers on social media, and posters by October for massive information drive.

The activity is based on Executive Order No. 28, which provides for the regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

The anti-firecrackers campaign dubbed “Oplan Iwas Paputok, Fireworks Display ang Patok! Makiisa sa fireworks display sa inyong lugar” is primarily aimed at avoiding fatal injuries due to firecrackers and stray bullets.

The program is in partnership with the Bureau of Fire and Protection, Philippine National Police, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Department Environment and Natural Resources.

Simultaneous regional launching advocacy campaign activities in communities and schools will be on December 13, 2017.

The health department expects everyone to participate in the drive for safe Christmas and New Year’s celebration.

From mid-December 2016 to first week of January 2017, the region recorded 98 firecracker-related injuries. (SQM/with reports from Reynadel F. Costillas OJT/PNA)

DOH: Registry needed for drug rehab graduates

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 21 -- In a bid to stop the recurrence of drug abuse, the Department of Health (DOH) will come up with a database of drug surrenderers who have completed rehabilitation.

DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said they have been consulting with the World Health Organization and other international non-government organizations to establish the registry.

“Through the database, they can be monitored easily by health professionals anywhere in the Philippines,” Ubial said during a press briefing Thursday at the City Convention Center here.

Ubial was in the city as guest of the Change Summit 2017, highlighting the collective effort of various sectors to stop illegal drugs in the city.

Ubial said it will take time to complete the registry, taking into consideration the public stigma towards former drug dependents.

She declined to disclose the timetable to complete the registry.

“We have to be very careful to protect the privacy of drug users,” the Health chief said.

The government will also tie up with the United States Agency for International Development and Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Citing latest reports, the official said at least 2,563 drug users have been treated through state-run Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers (TRC) nationwide since last year.

About 1.36 million drug personalities have turned themselves in as of July 2017. The health department estimated that 13,000 of them require treatment inside health facilities.

Ubial said the government is addressing the need for rehabilitation centers. Construction of eight mega TRC is now ongoing funded by the government and private donors. The PHP2.6 billion projects will be completed before the year ends.

The existing TRCs have a bed capacity of 6,000, way below than the need for 13,000 beds based on the number of surrenderers. The DOH is eyeing additional 4,000 beds after the completion of eight facilities. (SQM/PNA)