• Protecting press freedom defends the public’s right to know the truth, question authority, and participate in society. Without it, people may struggle to recognize truth in an era of misinformation.
• Police arrested a Top 5 regional drug target, alias “Rudy,” 35, in a Sunday morning buy-bust in Barangay 13.
• A JM Liner bus from Eastern Samar suffered brake failure near Catbalogan City on May 23. Witnesses said it sped up while descending toward the city center.
• Recurring power outages in Eastern Visayas now severely disrupt livelihoods, public services, and daily life. Families face sleepless nights, businesses lose money, and hospitals struggle during prolonged brownouts.
• Youth leaders from Pinabacdao and Calbiga, Samar attended a three-day summit to boost youth role in peacebuilding and governance. The event gathered 38 participants, 19 from each municipality.
• A suspected high-value drug personality, alias “Dexter,” 35, was arrested in a Tacloban City buy-bust on May 19 following a P47,000 seizure of alleged shabu.
• Development communication students at NwSSU protested corruption in the Special Academic Program during World Press Freedom Day, following a viral Facebook exposé on questionable university practices.
• The IBP Leyte Chapter urges the public to stay alert against misinformation and political propaganda, warning that fake news and polarization could erode trust in democratic institutions.
• Eastern Visayas cannot wait for a food crisis. Hunger begins with unaffordable fertilizer. The government must act now so farmers can plant, harvest, and feed the region with dignity.
• Tacloban City reports 441 HIV cases since 1989, with a concerning rise among youth. Officials attribute the increase to improved awareness and testing efforts.
Why Press Freedom Matters to Ordinary People 
Top Regional Drug Target Nabbed in Catbalogan Buy-Bust 
JM Liner Bus Brake Failure Causes Accident in Catbalogan City 
Eastern Visayas Power Crisis Prompts Demands for Accountability 
Youth Summit in Samar Boosts Leadership in Peacebuilding, Governance 
High-Value Drug Suspect Arrested in Tacloban Buy-Bust; Alleged Shabu Worth P47K Seized 
Shadows Over NwSSU: The Controversial Reality of the Special Academic Program 
IBP Leyte Cautions Against Spreading Fake News During Senate Turmoil and VP Impeachment Debate 
Feed the Farmers First: Eastern Visayas Cannot Wait for Another Crisis 
HIV Cases Among Tacloban Youth Continue to Climb