ORMOC CITY– A 46-year-old contractual worker was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Sto. Niño, Isabel, Leyte on Friday noon, with police recovering more than a gram of suspected shabu.

The suspect, identified as alias “Marvs,” had one sachet of the illegal substance purchased by an undercover operative for P500, along with six additional sachets hidden in a cigarette pack. The total estimated quantity of shabu was 1.349 grams, with a street value of around P9,173, police said.

“Marvs” was informed of his rights and is now facing charges under the Comprehensive Law Against Illegal Drugs (RA 9165) at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Ormoc City. He is temporarily detained at the Isabel Municipal Police Station.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY — A 22-year-old mechanic, listed as Rank No. 8 on the regional most wanted persons list, was arrested by local police on Thursday afternoon, February 5, in Brgy. Palanay, Caibiran, Biliran.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Aimil,” a married resident of Vista Del Mar, Brgy. Cabibihan of said town.

He was apprehended under a warrant of arrest issued on February 3, 2026, by RTC Branch 37 Presiding Judge Constantino Esber for statutory rape under RA 8353, as amended by RA 11648 (Art. 266-A (2) of the Revised Penal Code).

The court recommended no bail.

The suspect was informed of the charges and his constitutional rights in a language he understood. He was brought to the Caibiran Municipal Police Station for booking before being turned over to the court that issued the warrant.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— Police arrested a businessman and seized dozens of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) canisters during an operation against illegal LPG trading in Barangay Asuncion, Maasin City on Thursday, February 5.

The suspect was identified by Maasin City Police Station (CPS) chief Lt. Col. Jason Balbarona as alias “Jay,” 56, a married businessman and resident of Purok Sunkist, Barangay Asuncion.

The arrest stemmed from an operation conducted at around 11:45 a.m. by joint elements of the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Southern Leyte Provincial Police Office, the 1st Southern Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Maasin CPS, together with an authorized representative of an LPG company.

Police confiscated 86 filled LPG canisters and four empty canisters, with an estimated total value of P9,000. Authorities said the suspect was engaged in the unauthorized selling of LPG.

The act constitutes a violation of Republic Act No. 11592, or the LPG Industry Regulation Act, which regulates the importation, refilling, storage, transport, distribution, and sale of LPG to ensure public safety and consumer protection.

The suspect and the seized items were taken to the Maasin CPS for proper documentation and disposition.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— A joint anti-smuggling operation led by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) resulted in the arrest of a couple and the seizure of thousands of pesos worth of unstamped cigarettes in Barangay Asuncion, Maasin City on Thursday, February 5.

Recovered during the operation were several reams and packs of illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of P56,000. Authorities said the cigarettes bore no BIR tax stamps, and the suspects failed to present permits or authority to sell the products.

The suspects were identified by police as alias “Joseph,” 56, a businessman, and alias “Shirly,” 56, a half-Taiwanese national. Both are residents of Purok Sunkist, Barangay Asuncion, Maasin City.

The operation was conducted from around 11:50 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. by joint personnel from BIR Region VIII, the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Southern Leyte Provincial Police Office, the Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Maasin City Police Station.

Confiscated items included various brands of cigarettes such as Fort, Millano, Modern, Onion, Red, RGD, M1, New Orleans, Napoli, Commando, Double Happiness, Mighty, Walter, and other assorted brands.

All seized cigarettes are now under the custody of the BIR Region VIII for proper disposition.

Authorities said criminal charges are being prepared against the suspects for violation of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, in relation to the illegal sale and distribution of illicit cigarettes.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station Northern Samar rescued a fisherman after his motorized banca became half-submerged in the waters off Capul, Northern Samar on Friday morning, February 6.

The rescued passenger was identified as Henry Gerero Jr., a fisherman and resident of Barangay Villa Flores, Lavezares, Northern Samar.

The Coast Guard said it received a report from a concerned citizen regarding a half-submerged banca with one person onboard, initially sighted near Barangay Cabacungan, Allen, Northern Samar. A search and rescue team from Coast Guard Station Northern Samar and the Special Operations Unit (SOU) was immediately deployed aboard RB-052, with coordination made with nearby vessels.

The distressed banca was later spotted by LCT GT Express 2 in the vicinity waters of Capul, where the lone passenger was successfully rescued. The Coast Guard team took custody of Gerero and the banca, refloated and towed the vessel, and safely brought them to Barangay Victoria, Allen, Northern Samar.

Investigation showed that Gerero was operating an unregistered motorized banca en route to Lavezares when strong waves caused seawater to enter the vessel, leaving it half-submerged. No injuries were reported.

The Coast Guard reiterated its commitment to ensuring maritime safety and conducting prompt search and rescue operations.

(ROBERT DEJON)