TACLOBAN CITY– The regional Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarter reported that 4, 659 individuals who have outstanding warrants were arrested across the region from the start of the year until October 31.

These arrested individuals were part of the 4,605 operations conducted by the police in the said period, Col. Romeo Desiderio, acting chief of the regional operations division in a report.

He also reported that 185 illegal gun owners were also apprehended resulting in the confiscation of 1,965 loose firearms. Some of these firearms were also voluntarily turned over to the police by the owners.

Desiderio also disclosed that in the same period, 512 individuals engaged in the illegal drugs trade were arrested.

The police seized from these suspects shabu and marijuana with a combined commercial value of over P15.75 million.

Also, 2,116 persons were arrested for illegal fishing with the confiscated items valued at more than P114.15 million. About 402 persons were likewise apprehended on illegal logging valued at P5.57 million.

About 3,380 individuals were also arrested due to illegal gambling activities with bet money confiscated in the amount of P1.58 million.

On the campaign against insurgency, the regional PNP recorded a total of 140 rebels voluntarily surrendered to the police authorities with 45 arrested and 84 surrendered/recovered/confiscated firearms and explosives.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY-A woman who recruited members for an organization for a fee was arrested by the local police of Gandara, Samar on Saturday (Nov. 19).

Major Rio Tan, town police chief, identified the suspects as Analiza Austria, 37, a resident of Barangay Oyandic, Motiong, also in Samar.

Her alleged accomplice, Gilberto Abadiano, a resident of Brgy. Adela Heights, of Gandara, is still at-large.

Major Tan, in a telephone interview, disclosed that their station received information that the suspects were in Brgy. Canhumawid to recruit villagers for them to become members of the Alpha Omega World Development Marshall Program and with a corresponding fee of P300 each.

He said that upon receipt of said report he led the station personnel and proceeded to the said barangay. He added that upon arrival in the area, the two suspects were wearing Alpha Omega World Development Marshall Programmed ID’s, with logos of different departments including the Philippine National Police.

Major Tan continued that as the two suspects were asked for their authority to use the logo of the PNP, they two failed to show any and instead they showed a certificate of incorporation from the Security and Exchange Commission.

He said that he immediately called the higher headquarters to verify the said documents, but upon verification it was learned that the Alpha Omega World Development Marshall Programmed, Inc. was revoked by the SEC.

However, during the verification of the documents, Abadiano was able to leave the area and escape arrest as he was no longer seen at the place, the police chief said.
The local police filed charges against Austria, who is now detained, for violation of PD 38, Art. 179 (illegal use of insignia), and Art. 170 of the Revised Penal Code for falsification of public documents. (ROBERT DEJON)

ABUYOG, Leyte-A 74-year-old woman died after the motorcycle she was on board was bumped by another motorcycle in Barangay Paguite, this town, on Sunday (Nov. 20).

Based on information relayed by Major Luis Hatton, town police chief, the motorcycle where the casualty Sulpicia Angoring was back riding with her companion, Teofilo Ladra, Jr., 51, who is a teacher, was cruising to Paguite at about 3:50 pm when it was hit by a motorcycle driven by Rodel Obias, 27, and a resident of Zone 3, Dulag, Leyte.

Due to the strong impact, all three sustained injuries with the octogenarian woman declared dead on arrival at the Abuyog District Hospital due to the serious wounds she suffered.

Both drivers, who were brought to the hospital for medical treatment, failed to present their driver’s licenses, Hatton said.
(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY– Travel and tour operators from the region participated the first North Luzon Travel Fair held at SMX Convention Center at SM Clark in Pampanga province.

The three-day travel fair which ended on Nov.20 was organized by the regional offices of the Department of Tourism in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon in partnership with the Alliance of Travel and Tour Agencies of Pampanga (ATTAP) in a bid to boost tourism recovery of the country.

Four travel and tour operators from the region joined other 100 exhibitors and 30 sellers offering tour packages for Kalanggaman Island, Canigao Island, and Cuatro Islas in Leyte province; Sambawan Island in Biliran province; Limasawa and San Pablo Island, both in Southern Leyte province; Biri Island in Northern Samar province; Calicoan Island in Guiuan town, Eastern Samar.

The tour operators also sold packages for Ulot Torpedeo Extreme River Boat Ride in Paranas town, the Sohoton Cave in Basey, both in Samar; San Juanico Cruise, and Leyte country-side tour.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco had earlier disclosed that one of the seven objectives of the DOT is the diversification of portfolios from traditional to multidimensional tourism encompassing from accommodation, destinations, food providers but also showcasing local artisans and craftsmen.

Among the activities of the three-day event included presentation of tourism trends, business-to-business (B2B) networking, artisan demonstration, and interactive games.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)