ORMOC CITY — A police officer escaped unharmed after he was fired upon by an armed suspect in Barangay Busay, Barugo, Leyte early morning of May 25, 2026, in what authorities described as a targeted attack.

The incident occurred at around 6:10 a.m. when the victim, identified as PCpl “Rex,” 36, a resident of Barugo and an active member of the Philippine National Police, was on his way home.

Police said the suspect, identified only by the alias “Reo,” 40, unemployed and also a resident of the area, allegedly blocked the officer’s path while carrying a firearm.
Initial investigation showed that the suspect confronted the officer and reportedly uttered, “Ginpe-personal mo gud ako,” before suddenly firing shots.

The officer managed to take cover behind a nearby post and returned fire, hitting the suspect on his left arm.

Following the exchange, the victim immediately alerted the Barugo Municipal Police Station (MPS) for assistance. Responding personnel later found the suspect lying on the road with a gunshot wound. Emergency responders from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) transported him to a hospital for treatment.

Authorities confirmed that the police officer was not injured during the incident.

Investigators also disclosed that the suspect had prior run-ins with the law, including a drug-related case in 2019 and a previous arrest on January 24, 2026 for alarm and scandal in relation to Republic Act 10591. He was reportedly out on bail at the time of the shooting and was listed as a monitored drug personality in the area.

Recovered from the scene were two firearms and an extra magazine allegedly in the possession of the suspect. Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) processed the area for further evidence collection.

The Barugo MPS continues to investigate the incident to determine the full circumstances and possible motives behind the attack.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA/ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed P5,000 in cash assistance to 2,855 delivery riders across Eastern Visayas as part of the government’s response to rising fuel prices.

The regionwide payout, conducted simultaneously on May 27, aimed to provide immediate financial relief to transport-dependent workers whose daily income has been affected by increasing fuel costs amid the country’s ongoing energy concerns.

Tacloban City logged the highest number of beneficiaries with 1,124 riders receiving assistance. Samar followed with 536 beneficiaries, while Ormoc City recorded 402 recipients. Eastern Samar had 346 beneficiaries, Southern Leyte 202, Northern Samar 157, and Biliran 88.

According to the DSWD, delivery riders were prioritized under the program because of their heavy reliance on fuel for work and day-to-day operations. The agency said the initiative forms part of continuing government interventions designed to help vulnerable sectors cope with higher transportation expenses.

The DSWD added that coordination with local field offices and partner agencies will continue to ensure the orderly implementation of future payouts and the verification of qualified beneficiaries.

(BLUE REUGINE RUTHIELLE L. NICOLAS, LNU Student Intern)

TACLOBAN CITY — After days of intense heat, sudden rain showers have brought temporary relief to residents of Tacloban City, along with the familiar earthy smell known as petrichor — the scent produced when rain falls on dry ground.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned this week that Tacloban’s heat index could reach as high as 45°C, placing the city under “danger level” conditions. Pagasa said heat indices between 42°C and 51°C may cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Even with the extreme heat, rain showers and thunderstorms continue to affect parts of Eastern Visayas due to prevailing easterlies. Pagasa forecasts partly cloudy to cloudy skies with scattered rains throughout the week.

For many residents, the rain offers relief from the high temperatures.

As rain hits dry roads and soil, the scent of petrichor becomes noticeable across the city. Scientists describe petrichor as the smell created when rain releases natural oils from plants and compounds from soil bacteria into the air.

In Tacloban, however, rain also carries emotional meaning. More than a decade after Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ devastated the city, many residents still associate heavy rains and changing weather patterns with memories of disaster and uncertainty.

As extreme heat and unpredictable rainfall continue to affect many parts of the country, the smell of petrichor has become a reminder of both comfort and concern for residents adapting to changing climate conditions.

(LANCE GABRIEL ENTERESO, LNU Student Intern)

CBS China Bank Savings sustained its growth momentum in the first quarter of 2026,posting a net income of P631.2 million, up 11.5% year-on-year (YoY), driven by continued strength across its core businesses.

Net interest income increased by 20.4% YoY to P2.8 billion, supported by sustained growth in the Bank’s lending business.

Total assets stood at P217.3 billion, backed by a growing customer base of more than one million.  Net loans expanded by 11.5% YoY to P155.5 billion, driven mainly by the continued growth of the Bank’s salary loan and business loan segments. Deposits likewise increased by 12.0% to P191.4 billion, reinforcing the Bank’s liquidity position and funding stability.
CBS President James Christian T. Dee is confident in the bank’s ability to sustain the momentum. “CBS prides itself in maintaining strong relationships with its customers, and they have rewarded the Bank with loyalty. There is no substitute for trust and dependability, and the Bank provides that in spades whatever the circumstance.”

Asset quality remained stable, with an NPL ratio of 2.9%. The Bank’s NPLs continue to be adequately covered by loan-loss allowances, reflecting CBS’ conservative provisioning stance.

CBS Chairman Ricardo R. Chua says the youth and vigor of the CBS organization is quite exciting, and he expects the bank to continue outperforming economic conditions. “These are interesting times, but a young bank like CBS, can be more agile and can adapt to the changing environment faster. Already CBS is establishing itself in the thrift banking space as a significant player. Thanks to its mix of affordable and readily available loan products, and its competent and driven workforce which is in tune with the needs of the Bank’s target market.” CBS continues to strengthen its nationwide presence and customer reach through its network of 175 branches, 34 APD lending centers, and 73 APD branch-lite units, supported by more than 3,000 employees.

As part of its ongoing expansion strategy, the Bank converted 10 branch-lite units into full-service branches in April 2026 and is set to open an additional five branches before the end of the second quarter, bringing its total branch network to 190 branches. CBS also continues to enhance its digital capabilities as part of its broader transformation initiatives.
CBS Senior Vice President and Retail Banking Group Head Jan Nikolai M. Lim is leading the branch expansion of CBS nationwide. Lim commented on the drive behind the expansion amidst current economic uncertainties.

“We at CBS are eager to provide our ‘Easy Banking’ services nationwide, and that is why we continue to expand our branch network despite accelerating inflation. We are confident in the resilience of the Philippine economy, and we recognize the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Filipino entrepreneur will require financial support from the banking sector to ensure sustainability as well as prosperity for their endeavors.”

As it moves through the rest of 2026, CBS remains focused on expanding higher-yielding loan segments, growing its CASA base, deepening customer relationships, and sustaining operational efficiency through continued investments in both physical and digital capabilities. (PR)

ORMOC CITY– A jovial beach gathering of friends turned violent after one of the participants allegedly became unruly while under the influence of alcohol, resulting in a stabbing incident at around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, at Anas Beach, Sitio Anas, Barangay Atipolo, Naval, Biliran.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Shamsy,” single, with a live-in partner, and a resident of Caibiran, Biliran. The victim was identified as alias “Lel,” of legal age, single, and a resident of Sitio Manga, Barangay Calumpang, Naval.

Initial investigation showed that the victim, together with alias “Ren,” also of legal age and a resident of the same area, and the suspect’s live-in partner, were having a drinking session when the suspect allegedly became unruly and caused a commotion.

When the victim and the witness attempted to pacify him, the suspect allegedly punched the witness, smashed a glass bottle on the table, and used a broken piece of glass to stab the victim.

The victim was brought to Biliran Provincial Hospital for medical treatment, while the suspect was arrested by responding police officers and brought to Naval Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

The weapon used in the incident was not recovered.

A charge of homicide has been filed by police before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against the suspect, who remains detained at the Naval MPS lock-up cell.

(ROBERT DEJON)