ORMOC CITY – A 51-year-old man was seriously injured after being hacked by his father-in-law during a violent altercation on the evening of August 1, 2025, in Sitio Liberanan, Barangay Montealegre, Kananga, Leyte.

The victim, identified only as “Apolo,” an unemployed resident of the same sitio, was reportedly drinking at a separate location when he was attacked by the suspect, Pedro, 64, a farmer and his father-in-law.

According to initial police investigation, Pedro had been in a drinking session with a certain “Ronie,” the live-in partner of his granddaughter. During their conversation, Pedro was allegedly told that Apolo had made threats to kill him.

Enraged, Pedro reportedly armed himself with a bladed weapon known locally as a sundang and approached the unsuspecting victim. Without warning, he repeatedly hacked Apolo, inflicting multiple injuries on various parts of his body.

The Kananga Rescue Team responded quickly and rushed the victim to the Kananga Municipal Hospital, where he remains under medical care.

Meanwhile, officers from the Kananga Municipal Police Station, along with barangay tanods, launched a hot pursuit operation and successfully apprehended the suspect around 8:20 p.m., just over an hour after the incident. Pedro was arrested in a nearby mountainous area of Sitio Liberanan.

Police also recovered the weapon used in the attack—a sundang measuring 56 centimeters in length.

Pedro is now detained at the Kananga police station while appropriate criminal charges are being prepared against him.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

Reps. Ongchuan, Daza hail milestone

TACLOBAN CITY – Northern Samar is set to host its own Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Consular Office by 2026, following the formal approval of the project by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—a move that is expected to dramatically improve access to essential government services for thousands of residents in the province.

The new office will rise in Catarman, the provincial capital, marking the first DFA facility in Northern Samar and only the second in Eastern Visayas, after Tacloban City. The project was originally proposed by former Congressman Paul Daza as a satellite office but was upgraded to a full-service consular office thanks to sustained efforts by 1st District Rep. Nico Raul Daza and 2nd District Rep. Edwin Ongchuan.

“This is a win for every Nortehanon,” said Rep. Nico Daza. “What started as a request has now turned into a full consular office that will bring government services closer to our people—no more long trips to Tacloban or other provinces.”

The Catarman DFA office will offer passport application and renewal, document authentication, visa-related services, and assistance to overseas Filipinos, many of whom come from Northern Samar. It is also expected to generate local jobs, with its staffing pattern already approved.

Rep. Ongchuan, who recently met with DFA Assistant Secretary Zaldy Patron, said the office is part of a broader effort to boost economic and social development in the province. Discussions also covered local tourism promotion and overseas employment programs for Nortehanons.

As a token of cultural pride, Ongchuan presented Patron with a copy of the Ibabao Festival Magazine, which features the vibrant traditions and community events in the province.
The lawmakers expressed gratitude to President Marcos, DFA Citizens’ Affairs Director Atty. Manuel Ayap, and the DFA leadership for supporting the initiative.

Currently, the nearest DFA office for Northern Samar residents is in Tacloban City, some 244 kilometers away. With the new consular office in Catarman, residents will soon enjoy faster and more affordable access to essential services that previously required extensive travel.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

ORMOC CITY – A 19-year-old college student died in a self-accident early Sunday morning, August 3, after losing control of his motorcycle along the national road in Barangay Dayhagan.

The victim was identified as Bonaxi Kurt Hugo, a resident of Deca Homes in Barangay Concepcion. He was reportedly driving a blue Yamaha Sniper 155 motorcycle at high speed when he lost control and crashed near the Acacia tree by the bridge around 6:30 a.m.
Responding personnel from the City Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) and the Ormoc Rescue Team found the victim lying on the road. Emergency responders immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before rushing him to Gatchalian Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Initial police investigation revealed that Hugo was traveling from Barangay Juaton toward the city proper when the accident occurred.

The motorcycle was taken to the TEU office for proper documentation. According to TEU Chief PCPT Jason Mateo, the victim’s family has already claimed the body, which has been transferred to a local funeral parlor.

(ROBERT DEJON)