PRO8 anti-illegal gambling drive nets 7 persons

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
July 14, 2013

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – The intensified anti-illegal gambling operations conducted by the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) resulted in the arrest of seven persons in Samar, Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces.

Police Chief Superintendent Elmer R. Soria, PRO8 director, said that while his men are conducting stepped-up implementation of illegal gambling laws, partnership with the community is still needed to sustain the momentum his office has gained in minimizing the gambling menace.

“The fight against illegal gambling will only succeed through stronger partnership with various stakeholders including local officials, the members of the religious sector and the media,” the police official added.

He informed that he directed police chiefs to coordinate with elected local officials to map-out strategies and gather community support in the anti-gambling crusade.

On Thursday evening, two successive operations conducted by the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) in Pinabacdao and Villareal towns in Samar resulted in the apprehension of two suspected collectors of illegal numbers game locally known as “swertres”.

At around 6:00 p.m., operation conducted at Brgy. Mambog, Pinabacdao town by RSOG led by PInsp. Constantino Jabonete, Jr. led to the arrest of Leo Abinguna, 55, while collecting bets for “swertres” and the recovery of one bundle of stub containing entry of different number combinations and bets dated July 10, 2013 for 9:00 p.m. draw, “swertres” tip, ballpen and P150.00 cash bet.

An hour later, same police team conducted anti-gambling operations at Sitio Lusong, Brgy. Canmucat, Villareal town leading to the arrest of one Rogelio Oreo, alias Bagwis, 30, while engaged collecting “swertres” tally sheets containing different number combinations and bets dated July 10, 2013.

In Leyte, police operations conducted in Brgy. Combis, Dulag and Brgy. Sawang, Carigara towns resulted in the arrest of Armando Oteros, 34, and Roy Urmeneta, 37, respectively, with total confiscated cash bet of P320.00 and several “swertres” paraphernalia.

Anti-illegal gambling operations in Liloan, Hinunangan and Tomas Oppus towns resulted in the arrest of three persons - Roland Sirel, Alfredo Aling and Roel Montibon – while engaged in collecting bets for “swertres” with total confiscated bet amounting to P490.00 and several gambling paraphernalia confiscated.

Soria informed that cases for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 as amended by Republic Act 9287 (Anti-Illegal Numbers Game) were already filed against the suspects.

DOLE favors Kito Mendoza over Boy Herrera in TUCP presidency row; elections set

By TUCP
July 14, 2013

QUEZON CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sustained lawyer Democrito “Kito” Mendoza as the sitting president of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and denied the motion for reconsideration of former Sen. Ernesto Herrera in their battle for leadership over the largest confederation of labor unions in the country since 1975.

In a notice of resolution issued on July 5, the Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz denied the motion for reconsideration of Herrera and reaffirmed the presidency of Mendoza.

The resolution also ordered the TUCP to undertake the election of a new set of officers to be conducted under the auspices of a special committee of five with equal representation from the contending parties and chaired by the DOLE. Elections could be held in August next month.

“The convention is the most democratic procedure of resolving the present intra-union dispute which is in accord with the principles of freedom of association under the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No. 87. The conduct of secret balloting is a time-tested procedure that will afford TUCP members an opportunity to decide and exercise their sovereign will on the leadership issue. This is in accord with the long-settled principle of democratic governance,” the DOLE resolution stated.

Mendoza, in his reaction to the resolution, said: “Our resolve for justice to be done has been validated. As the TUCP president recognized by the government, I am committed to following the order of the DOLE. I call on all sides not to resort to legal maneuvers and dilatory tactics to delays these elections. All of those who seek to lead the workers movement must fully submit to the will of the bonafide members of the TUCP in the upcoming special convention.”

The leadership row stemmed from the claim of Herrera, TUCP secretary-general, that Mendoza resigned on October 2011 and that this was immediately effective by mere application without the need of approval or consent.

The TUCP General Council, however, prevailed upon Mendoza to remain as president and actually continued to discharge his duties as President.

Upon Mendoza’s alleged resignation, Herrera separately installed himself as the president and set up new offices in his formal Senate office.

However, the DOLE’s Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR) ruled otherwise. It said the resignation was not consummated because Mendoza withdrew the letter and continued to perform his function as president.

Mendoza stressed that he will abide with the order of holding a special convention by appointing labor lawyers German Pascua and Arnel Dolendo as TUCP representatives to the committee of five that will supervise the conduct of the balloting.

Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan a waste of people’s money - Karapatan

By KARAPATAN
July 13, 2013

QUEZON CITY – “The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should immediately stop the implementation of Oplan Bayanihan. The Aquino government is wasting the nation’s coffers in pursuing Oplan Bayanihan that has resulted in numerous human rights violations and continuing impunity.”

Thus said Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay, in reaction to the statement of AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista on the failure of the counter-insurgency program’s targets. The Aquino administration announced in May 2013 that it has allocated $1.8 billion, or roughly P73 billion, for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program.

“With Oplan Bayanihan, people’s taxes are used to kill the likes of Cristina Jose, instead of helping victims like her to rise from the onslaught of typhoons or displacement from their lands and livelihood because of transnational mining corporations and logging,” Palabay said. Jose, leader of the typhoon victims’ organization Barug Katawhan (People, stand up!) in Mindanao, was killed in March this year, after receiving threats from the military for leading people’s actions in the area.

Karapatan said the AFP’s so-called ‘peace and development’ projects in disaster-stricken areas as in the case of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental only resulted to threats, harassment and intimidation, and even extrajudicial killing like what happened to Jose.

“The Aquino government’s ‘peace and development’ concept that the AFP is working at is ‘peace and development’ for foreign and local big business interests – the transnational mining corporations and agri-business plantations; the interests of the landlords like the Aquinos and the interests of powerful politicians,” Palabay added.

The killing of Cristina Jose, Karapatan stressed, is an example of the government’s attitude on the poor people who were displaced by logging and mining companies and tagged by the government as ‘enemies’ for opposing big business interests. Jose exemplifies the “poor who are vulnerable to disasters because of environmental degradation that was a result of the plunder of the country’s resources by big business; those who were victims of government discrimination and neglect, bureaucratic red tape, inefficiency and corruption in providing assistance to victims of calamities and disasters, using the communist bogey as an excuse. Jose represents the victims of government’s human rights violations, those who were killed, disappeared, arrested and tortured for asserting their rights.”

“Cristina Jose is one of the 142 victims of extrajudicial killing under the Aquino regime. The members of her community are among the more than 31,000 victims of threat, harassment and intimidation by the military,” said Palabay. The terror of Oplan Bayanihan is manifested not only in extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances but also in the cases of forced evacuation (with more than 30,000 victims), indiscriminate firing (with more than 7,000 victims), and the use of schools, medical, religious and other public places for military purpose (with more than 27,000 victims).

“Gen. Bautista’s statement that they will ‘intensify efforts in second semester to sustain the campaign to win peace for people’ is an alarm bell for the people to brace themselves for more human rights violations. If the Aquino government is truly pursuing peace, it should go back to the negotiating table with the NDFP and MILF, sincerely tackle the roots of unpeace and work for its resolution,” ended Palabay.

On July 19-21, more than 200 peace advocates and human rights defenders from all over the world are attending the International Conference for Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines. The said gathering will look into the Aquino government’s human rights record and peace, in the context of global and national crises, the US’s Asian pivot and the implementation of Oplan Bayanihan.

RSOG nab 4 fugitives in Leyte, Samar

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
July 11, 2013

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) arrested four fugitives in separate manhunt operations in Leyte and Samar provinces, the region’s top police official said Thursday.

PRO8 director PCSupt. Elmer Ragadio Soria informed that the suspects are facing charges for murder, rape and cattle rustling and were arrested by the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG).

Soria said fugitive Arturo Mabag, 69, wanted for rape, was arrested on Wednesday evening by RSOG under PInsp. Constantino Jabonete, Jr. at the outskirts of Barangay Canduyucan in San Sebastian, Samar.

Judge Auxencio Dacuycoy of the Regional Trial Court branch 29 in Catbalogan City issued Mabag’s arrest warrant in criminal case number 4424.

The police regional director said Mabag has been in hiding for 16 years prior to his arrest.

On the same day, at Brgy. Caluctugan, Dagami, Leyte, RSOG led by PSInsp. Dinvir Revita nabbed brothers Diosdado and Dioscoro Cañete who have standing warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court branch 6 Judge Alphinor Serrano for murder with no bail recommended.

In Dulag town also in Leyte, an arrest warrant for violation of Presidential Decree 533 (Anti-Cattle Rustling Law) issued by Judge Buenaventura Pajaron of RTC Branch 10 in Abuyog, Leyte against Edwin Verterra, 44, was also implemented by the same police team leading to the arrest of the suspect in Brgy. Sungi.

Arrested persons were turned-over to court of origin for proper disposition, Soria said.

“We will continue the all-out campaign against fugitives as the arrest of wanted criminals will make Eastern Visayas safer,” added Soria.

Fight against malnutrition continues

By DONA LAVARES, RAFI intern
July 11, 2013

CEBU CITY – Malnutrition, despite advances in science and technology and developments in economy, has remained prevalent in Philippine regions.

As the country observes Nutrition Month this July, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) organizes activities geared towards eradicating hunger and malnutrition, in line with this year's theme, “Gutom at Malnutrisyon, Sama-Sama Nating Wakasan”.

This move aims to get public support for the agency's and the nation's fight against the gnawing problem of malnutrition, which is affecting people of all ages, especially in poverty-stricken communities.

In the July 5 episode of Pagtuki, the official radio program of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), NCC's Susan Orpilla pointed to poverty as the main cause of malnutrition in the country.

"The presence of it (poverty) results to prolong hunger which eventually leads to malnutrition,” Orpilla said.

Malnutrition is a case of bad nutrition and the lack of nutrients in the body.

In the past years, several Negros Oriental towns were recorded of having the highest number of malnutrition cases in Central Visayas. As of 2012, Naga City, south of Cebu ranks first with a 7.66 percent malnutrition rate.

“It is depressing to know that Cebu now leads in malnutrition incidence in the entire Region 7. It is a big challenge for all Cebuanos to aggressively combat malnutrition,” Orpilla stressed.

As malnutrition affects Filipinos not just in Central Visayas but all over the country, NCC and the national government take on a massive nationwide approach in educating the public on how to mitigate hunger and malnutrition.

“There is an integrated and collaborative nutrition education for all especially for health workers...and feeding programs in a span of three months (sometimes called as the 'supplementary feeding')," Orpilla shared.

Another government program, Agri-Pinoy aims to improve agricultural livelihood and provide solution to food shortage, with the end view of alleviating poverty and hunger.

Putting a stop to a large-scale problem harrowing the country could be done right at the core, to the smallest unit of a society, the family. It is in the home where basic needs, such as food, are expected to be met.

According to Orpilla, “every member of the family must fulfill the four As needed to fight against malnutrition – availability, accessibility, adequacy, and affordability to safe and nutritious foods.”

She further explained that taking in the right amount and proportion of each food group – energy-giving, body-building, and nutritious foods – makes achieving a healthy body easier.

“If only students choose the right kind of food and parents are ready to prepare nutritious food for their children, then there will come a time that no more child is left malnourished,” she concluded.

Pagtuki is aired over dyLA 909 AM every Saturday at 10-11am. The program, which is one of the Knowledge Sharing & Advocacy capabilities of RAFI, tackles timely and relevant issues on community development, politics and governance, micro-finance, education, environment, early childhood care and development, and culture and heritage that affect the Cebuano community.

The mayor on the move: lady chief conducts site inspections

By LAIMINH MABULAY
July 10, 2013

CATBALOGAN CITY – Damaged roofing, congested areas, illegal wiring connections, illegal structures, public bathrooms that are out-of-order, garbage-filled spots – these were the sites that met the eyes of the first City Lady Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan as she conducted a surprise visit to the City Government’s external offices and other public facilities during her first week in office.

Among the places visited where Pier 1, Public Market, the new bus terminal and public cemetery, Barangay 3 Footbridge. Visiting these places enabled the mayor to see the actual state of the city’s public facilities gave her an insight as to the steps that should be made to improve and develop them.

With her during these visits to give recommendations were General Services Officer Rico Macabare, City Economic Enterprise and Public Utilities Officer Victor Pagarao and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Action Officer Eliot Lopez.

The findings gained from these visits were already relayed to the concerned department heads for immediate action and are now being addressed appropriately.

Going out into the city and exploring its harsh realities served as her next move after the inter-office visit she conducted in her first day as she strives for a more “open and consultative” style of management. “Hadto pa, karuyag ko na talaga it hands-on, tikang han kapitan ako to councilor, from ABC President to Councilor, much more yana nga city mayor na”, she said.

According to her, the visits in both the external and internal offices enabled her to establish rapport with department heads and staff and know their concerns regarding the performance of their jobs. “Kay feeling ko it, success hit usa ka institution or hit mga programs, aada la gihapon kun gaano kaupay magtrabaho an mga department heads ngan mga employees, kun maupay hira magtrabaho, maupay mga pag-implement han programs” she added.

The first week in office was a whirlwind of visits and courtesy calls for Mayor Step, as she is known to her staff. Initial talks with office heads during this period already yielded serious topics that would be treated more thoroughly during the meetings she intend to conduct within this week.

“It katapusan pressure, kay siyempre expectations, tapos baga’t damo an imo karuyag himuon pero di ngani igo it usa ka adlaw, ngan mayayakan ko talaga nga pareho it akon speech ha mga employees nga it will be my second home, asya gud talaga it matatabo, kay nakit-an mo nga diri enough an time nga ginhatag la ha imo hin office like 8 to 5, it’s beyond the hours, beyond the written roles”, was her personal assessment of life as the first Female Chief Executive of this city just barely a month in office.

PRO8 chief orders probe on recovery of illegal drugs in Leyte jail

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
July 10, 2013

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – The region’s top cop ordered a thorough investigation to determine how illegal drugs were able to pass through inspection on way to a lock-up cell in Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail in Baybay City.

This was discovered in a surprise check on cells and inmates by provincial jail guards Saturday afternoon.

Nine inmates - Fernado Balagbis, Dexter Flandez, Fernando Huerta, Eliseo Lascota, Mark Rubin, Jimmy Crame, Eduardo Metro, Lando Lumacad and Zosimo Galano, are being investigated when a sizeable amount of suspected “shabu” were found in cell number 3 to include several drug paraphernalia.

Ten heat-sealed sachet containing suspected “shabu” with total estimated street value of P100,000.00; twenty one lighters; a scissor; cellphone charger and twelve mobile phones were confiscated by jailguards.

PCSupt. Elmer Ragadio Soria, director of Police Regional Office 8, also ordered inspection on all jail facilities in the region in coordination with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and other concerned correctional agencies.

“The intensified implementation of our existing strategy against illegal is part of strengthened support mechanism to carry-out holistic operations in the national anti-drug campaign,” said Soria.

“Intensified police operations against illegal drugs must continue,” the police official said, adding that “complacency in the conduct of anti-drug operations will only burden the PNP with the social costs of the continuing drug problem that are highly correlated with criminality.”

Meanwhile, buybust operation on Sunday night at Brgy. Dawahon Island, Bato, Leyte by joint elements of Bato police station and Leyte Police Provincial Office resulted in the arrest of one Emmanuel Tagsip alias “Ondo”, 39, seaweed farmer and four sachet of suspected “shabu” with an estimated market value of P5,000.00.

In District I, Mc Arthur town also in Leyte, one Richard Macnamara, 37, married, meat vendor, was nabbed by operatives in a buybust operation that also led in the seizure of two plastic sachet of suspected “shabu” and several drug paraphernalia.

Gary Cuartero, 35, was also nabbed in a buybust operation in Dist. VI, New Road, Barugo, Leyte that led to the confiscation of four sachet of suspected “shabu” worth P4,000.00 and the P500 buybust money.

In Sitio Cabulado, Brgy Sto. Rosario, Matag-ob, Leyte, a buybust operation resulted in the arrest of one Roy Olorvida, 43, and the confiscation of two sachet of suspected “shabu” and two pieces P500.00 marked money.

Soria informed that confiscated items were brought to the Leyte Provincial Crime Laboratory Office for examination as the police have filed criminal charges against the suspects.

Catbalogan City tackles malnutrition problem

By LAIMINH MABULAY
July 9, 2013

CATBALOGAN CITY – As far as Catbalogan City is concerned, the observance of the Nutrition Month this July comes with a very serious mission: to get out of the top list of Local Government Units with a very high incidence of malnutrition.

The data coming from NNC based on the 2012 weighing activity revealed that the Province of Samar had the highest malnutrition prevalence at 17.88% while Catbalogan and Calbayog are the two cities with the highest incidence of the same at 18.31% and 14.41% respectively. Catbalogan City has held the top spot in this ranking for the second year now.

The most recent data submitted by the CHO to the NNC showed that out of 15,681 preschoolers aged 0-71 months old, only 13,155 participated in the Operation Timbang and out of these, 2,647 were found to be malnourished.

One of the initial interventions to be done by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is to conduct massive 2-month supplementary feeding program in every daycare center, which is to be augmented with constant weight monitoring.

This initiative will be launched this July 10, 2013 in Barangay Silanga, where malnutrition is most prevalent. The CSWDO has selected thirty underweight and severely underweight children aged 24-35 months to take part in a milk feeding program. The same shall also go through constant weight monitoring. The City Health Office will also be administering iron supplement in aid of this initiative.

For the succeeding days of the Nutrition Month, the CSWDO has also partnered with the CHO for a series of lectures and fora about proper nutrition and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), to be held in barangays that were identified to have serious problems regarding malnutrition.

As recommended by the City Nutrition Council headed by Nutrition Action Officer Herminia S. Cabral, former City Mayor Coefredo T. Uy explained to the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in a letter dated June 23, 2013 that due to the Injunction Order on the city’s Annual Budget for 2013, the Nutrition Month Celebration will be limited to advocacy and information campaign.

For this same purpose, new City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan had already issued a memo addressed to the City Division urging all schools to conduct activities aimed at raising awareness about the importance of proper nutrition. She also intends to tackle this particular problem with key offices in the meetings and consultations that she will hold in the next few days.

PRO8 reshuffles officers in Leyte, N. Samar provincial offices

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
July 9, 2013

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – Two third level officers of Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) were designated to new positions in a routine reshuffling of personnel holding key police positions in the region with the Leyte Police Provincial Office having a new Officer In-Charge effective Friday, more than a week after PRO8 designated an OIC in Northern Samar.

PRO8 director PCSupt. Elmer Ragadio Soria has designated PSSupt. Brigido B. Unay vice PSSupt. Pio L. Manito as OIC of the Leyte PPO in a simple turn-over at the office of the Regional Director 9:00 a.m. Friday pursuant to General Orders No. 655 dated July 3, 2013.

Unay, a member of Philippine Military Academy “Hinirang” class 1987, is a former chief of the Regional Operations and Plans Division (ROPD) and Provincial Director of Northern Samar PPO.

Relatedly, PSSupt. Mario Abraham G. Lenaming, former chief of the Regional Logistics Development Division (RLLD) was designated as OIC of Northern Samar PPO effective June 27 pursuant to General Orders No. 605 dated June 26.

Lenaming, of Philippine National Police Academy “Makatao” class 1985, replaced PSSupt. Isaias B. Tonog, who along with Manito, was re-assigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (RPHAU) while waiting for their new designation.

Lenaming’s deputy, PSupt. Rolando Bade was designated as Acting Chief of said division.

“The movement of our officers is routinely done in order to promote a wider field of experience and expertise and to accommodate and give opportunity to other qualified officers,” Soria said.

He added that professionalism, track record and integrity are among the factors being considered in the PNP placement and promotion system.

“The PNP has an established career pattern which is the course by which PNP personnel progress in the service through a system of rotation of assignments in command, staff, technical and training duties including exposure to a variety of police operation and administrative experiences to enable them to be developed as well rounded police officers and advance to positions of greater responsibility,” the police official averred.

Meanwhile, the PNP Senior Officers Placement and Promotions Board (SOPPB) has declared the position of City Director of Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) vacant effective June 24.

This means that the SOPPB will deliberate from a pool of qualified third level police commissioned officers, or those with the rank of Police Senior Superintendent, and come up with a list of eligibles that will be submitted to the office of Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez who has the authority to select the city director.

A local chief executive, like Romualdez, has the prerogative to select his city director or police chief, and the governor to choose his provincial police director.

The SOPPB is a board duly authorized to undertake the screening and evaluation of officers due for promotion and/or placement to key positions and other positions of responsibility in the PNP.

PSSupt. Teodoro J. Basa, Deputy Regional Director for Operation, has been designated in concurrent capacity as OIC of Tacloban CPO since May 8.

Soria added that some police chiefs may be affected also by organizational revamp as some newly-elected mayors sought for relief or recall of their police chiefs.

Cayetano files Senate Bill providing Additional Support and Compensation for Teachers

By Office of Sen. Alan Peter S. Cayetano
July 9, 2013

PASAY CITY – "Given the fundamental role of our teachers in nation building, it is but reasonable that we help them address their personal concerns brought about by high prices, lack of jobs, and low income."

Senator Alan Cayetano said this as he filed Senate bill No. 94 pushing for additional support and compensation for educators in basic education.

According to the senator, the current salary grade of teachers places them just within the present poverty threshold.

"For educators to adequately equip the youth to be ready to face the challenges of the present world, government should consequently provide them with the support and benefits they need to make ends meet," he said.

“The teaching profession must be at par with that of other professions such as the police and the military in terms of compensation for they are all crucial in creating a society geared towards economic development,” he added stressing that the current entry level for teachers is only Salary Grade (SG) 11 or about P18,549 monthly.

The senator cited the 1991 report by the Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) stating that their level of compensation is disproportionately low compared to the functional definition of the their profession. EDCOM recommended that the salary grade for teachers should be SG 17, the equivalent of the salary of a 1st Lieutenant in the Philippine Army or about P29,028 a month based on the revised salary standardization law III.

SB No. 94 also known as the Additional Support and Compensation for Educators in Basic Education bill will provide an across the board additional compensation for all basic education teachers. Also, it will give teachers a comprehensive package of additional benefits which includes a medical allowance of at least P1,000.00 that will be given for check-ups and other medical expenses and an annual Magna Carta bonus to answer for the unpaid benefits due to the teachers under Republic Act No. 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers Act.

Cayetano, on the first day of the 16th Congress, also filed his version of the Freedom of Information Act, the Orphan Trust Fund Bill, the Special Needs Fund for Children Bill, the Welfare of the Orphaned, Abandoned, and Neglected Children Bill, The Uniformed Personnel Bill, amendments on the Cybercrime Prevention act of 2012, the Decriminalization of Libel and Defamation, and the Iskolar ng Bayan Bill.

The senator emphasized that he will push hard for the majority coalition in the Senate to prioritize such measures in order for Filipino families to feel the benefits of our economic growth. He is also set to file several other measures that will address PTK (Presyo, Trabaho, Kita) in the coming weeks.

“This was our campaign promise, for the government to ensure that every Filipino family is able to cope with the problems of high prices, lack of jobs and low income so that they can lift themselves up out of poverty and feel the benefits of the growing economy. We will keep our promise to them,” he said.

Captured top Samar NPA leaders arrive in Catbalogan City

By DPAO, 8ID PA
July 1. 2013

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – Recently arrested Samar NPA Leaders, Juan Paolo Rodrigo Verzosa, aka Cocoy; and his wife, Grace A Verzosa, aka Lennon arrived in Catbalogan City today. They were immediately brought to the Samar Police Provincial Office for proper documentation and processing. After which, they were taken to Samar Provincial Hospital for Physical and Medical examination.

It can be recalled that the NPA couple were arrested by joint elements of the PNP Catbalogan City and the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army last June 28, 2013 at Brgy. Fortuna, Marikina City by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court of the 8th Judicial Region for Robbery with Homicide.

In an interview, Juan Paolo Verzosa admitted that he started to be part of the NPA machinery during his college days at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. He met his wife while doing documentaries as part of his academic requirements in UP. Juan Verzosa became a full-time member of the Samar Provincial Party Committee of the New People’s Army as Intelligence Officer. On the other hand, Grace Verzosa became a member of the NPA Staff Reproduction Bureau of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.