ORMOC CITY-An air-conditioning cleaner was arrested after a police K9 detected suspected shabu in his luggage during routine paneling operations at Sta. Clara Port in Brgy. Jubasan, Allen in Northern Samar on Tuesday morning, December 2.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Leo,” 23, single, and a resident of Isabel, Leyte.
Authorities from the Allen Municipal Police Station, in coordination with PDEA-8’s Special Investigation Unit and the Coast Guard K9 team, were conducting joint inspections of passenger baggage at around 8:20 a.m. when a K9 dog alerted operatives by sitting beside the suspect’s luggage.

A search, conducted in the presence of mandatory witnesses, resulted in the confiscation of two sachets of suspected shabu, an empty sachet with suspected residue, eight pieces of aluminum foil, a matchbox labeled “Fuego,” a backpack, and a sling bag.

Police said the seized drugs weighed approximately 0.53 grams with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P3,604.00.

The suspect was informed of the reason for his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he understood, authorities added.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect is now detained at the Allen Municipal Police Station’s lockup facility.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-8 has issued a public advisory reminding motorists and transport operators to observe the load capacities of bridges along Eastern Visayas’ national highways.

Most bridges in the region are rated for 15 to 20 tons, and officials stressed that strict compliance is essential to ensure both the safety of road users and the durability of infrastructure.

To prevent overloading and minimize the risk of damage, transport operators are encouraged to use 6-wheeler trucks, which are more likely to stay within the permissible weight limits.

The public can access detailed bridge load information through a QR code provided in the advisory, offering up-to-date technical guidance for safe travel.

DPWH Region 8 emphasized that following these regulations is crucial for maintaining efficient and secure travel across major roads in Eastern Visayas.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), led by PB/Gen. Jason Capoy, showcased the Revitalized-Pulis sa Barangay (R-PSB) program during the national validation conducted in Northern Samar and Samar from December 3–5, 2025.

The validation, part of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) initiative, was led by PB/Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba, director for police community relations, and represented by PCol. Jessie Tamayao, with the national validation team assessing community policing efforts.

R-PSB teams in barangays of Pambujan, Northern Samar, and Villahermosa, Calbayog City, Samar, presented their accomplishments in promoting peace, preventing insurgency resurgence, and supporting anti-criminality campaigns. Stakeholders from the Department of Education, the Department of Interior and Local Government, municipal social welfare and development office, and local residents attended the sessions.

The activity included an entrance briefing, tabletop exercises, community visits, and an exit briefing, highlighting PRO-8’s commitment to strengthening community partnerships and maintaining peace and order across Eastern Visayas.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY– A 16-year-old boy helping cut down a coconut tree was killed after the tree unexpectedly fell toward him on Wednesday morning, December 3, in Barangay Mabuligon, Matuguinao, Samar.

Police identified the victim only as “Jake,” a resident of the same barangay. The individuals involved in the cutting operation were identified as alias “Allan,” the tree owner, and alias “Sinio,” 51, who was cutting the tree at the time of the incident.

According to a report submitted to Police Regional Office-8, “Allan” and “Sinio” personally went to the Matuguinao Municipal Police Station at around 10:15 a.m. to report that a tree-cutting activity had resulted in the fatal injury of the victim.

Responding police officers proceeded to the site and were informed that residents had already brought the boy to the rural health unit for immediate treatment.

Initial investigation showed that “Sinio” was cutting the coconut tree with an axe under the instruction of “Allan,” while the victim assisted by pulling a rope tied to the trunk to guide its fall. However, due to the lack of safety precautions, the tree suddenly tilted toward the boy, striking him and causing fatal injuries.

Barangay officials and residents rushed the victim to the Matuguinao Rural Health Unit, but he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Both “Allan” and “Sinio” voluntarily submitted themselves to the police for documentation and further investigation.

(ROBERT DEJON)