ORMOC CITY— Four people were injured after a passenger tricycle veered off the road and fell into a roadside canal along the national highway in Sitio St. Joseph, Barangay Cabibihan, Caibiran, Biliran on Tuesday morning, January 6.
Police said the accident occurred at around 9:27 a.m. when the tricycle, driven by a 72-year-old man identified as alias “Pau,” reportedly lost control after the driver fell asleep while driving. The tricycle was traveling downhill along a portion of the road near Tinago Falls when the incident happened.
The passengers were identified as alias “Bea,” 57, married, alias “Gia,” and alias “Mika,” both of legal age. All passengers are residents of Barangay Atipolo, Naval, Biliran.
According to a police report submitted to the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), personnel from the Caibiran Municipal Police Station, Caibiran Bureau of Fire Protection–Emergency Medical Services (BFP-EMS), and Caibiran Rescue (CARES) immediately responded to the incident after receiving a phone call from a concerned resident.
First aid was administered at the scene before the injured driver and passengers were transported by ambulance to the Caibiran Rural Health Unit for initial treatment. They were later referred to the Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval for further medical care and are now recuperating.
Initial investigation revealed that the group was on their way to attend a funeral in Culaba, Biliran. Police said the passengers had earlier advised the driver to slow down while navigating the downhill stretch, but the warnings were allegedly ignored.
The tricycle was later brought to the Caibiran Municipal Police Station for proper disposition as police continue their investigation into the incident.
TACLOBAN CITY — Residents of two upland barangays in Burauen, Leyte can now travel more safely and efficiently following the completion of a bridge and access road rehabilitation project by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), addressing long-standing mobility and safety concerns in the area.
The DPWH–Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office reported the completion of the bridge and road project connecting Barangay Paghudlan to Barangay Villa Patria, a vital route for students, farmers, and residents, particularly during the rainy season when river crossings become hazardous.
District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura said the P29.3-million project included the construction of a 0.20-meter-thick Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) covering 705 square meters, stone masonry structures to reinforce road safety and durability, and the completion of a steel bridge to improve inter-barangay connectivity.
Before the project’s completion, residents relied on a hanging bridge or risky river crossings, often struggling to transport motorcycles, farm produce, and basic goods.
Barangay Councilor Nestor Antillon recalled the daily hardships faced by villagers, especially during flooding.
“Before the bridge was built, crossing was very difficult, particularly for motorcycles. During floods, we were sometimes forced to swim just to get across. We even had to carry our motorcycles and manually transport our farm products like root crops and vegetables,” Antillon said.
He noted that the new bridge has significantly improved mobility, safety, and access to essential services.
“Now, traveling to neighboring barangays is much easier. Students no longer have to cross the river, and residents can move safely and conveniently,” he added.
Antillon also expressed gratitude to the DPWH for completing the project, saying it has greatly improved the quality of daily life in the community.
“We are deeply thankful to the DPWH for this project. It has made travel safer and easier, and many residents are now benefiting from this long-needed infrastructure,” he said.
The project is expected to boost local economic activity by easing the transport of agricultural products, reducing travel time, and minimizing flood-related risks, particularly during heavy rains.
Funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the project was implemented by Buildtron Construction Corporation.
ORMOC CITY — A parked Toyota Deluxe Van was damaged by fire in Barangay 90, Payapay, San Jose in Tacloban City on Tuesday morning, January 6, with investigators pointing to an overheated power bank as the possible cause.
The fire broke out at around 9:46 a.m. and involved a white Toyota Deluxe Van registered to alias “Neta” and driven by alias “Naldo,” a resident of Barangay 110, Utap, Tacloban City.
Personnel from Police Station 2 of the Tacloban City Police Office immediately responded to the incident. By the time authorities arrived, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) had already brought the fire under control, which was declared out at around 9:50 a.m.
Based on the driver’s account, the van had been parked along the roadside near a coconut (“buko”) stall while he was taking a short rest. Moments later, the vehicle suddenly caught fire, prompting him to seek help from nearby residents to prevent the flames from spreading.
The driver sustained minor injuries during the incident and was given first aid by medics from the Tacloban City Rescue Unit (TACRU).
Further investigation by BFP fire investigators revealed that the blaze may have been caused by a power bank left unattended inside the vehicle, which reportedly overheated.
Authorities estimated the damage to the van at around P100,000.
Police reminded motorists to avoid leaving electronic devices inside vehicles, especially during daytime, as extreme heat can trigger fires.
TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Samar Governor Ralph Vincent “RV” Evardone has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the province to strengthen and heighten security measures in the town of Oras following the killing of a village official earlier this week.
Gov. Evardone said he directed authorities to increase police presence in Oras and to establish regular checkpoints to prevent similar incidents and ensure public safety.
He also instructed barangay officials to activate their barangay tanod units to assist law enforcers in maintaining peace and order in their respective communities.
The governor appealed for public understanding, saying the tighter security measures are being implemented for the safety of residents and the overall peace and security of the province.
“Hopefully, you will understand why we tightened the security. This is for your safety and for the peace and security of the province,” Evardone said in a video message posted on his Facebook account.
The security alert followed the killing of Barangay Tiguib chairman Arnel Montallana, 56, who was stabbed to death on January 6, 2026. Police identified the suspect as Erick Lorot, 45, a resident of Barangay Butnga in the same town.
Montallana sustained multiple stab wounds and was declared dead on arrival at Oras Doctors Hospital. The suspect was immediately arrested by police in a hot pursuit operation.
Authorities said an investigation is ongoing to determine the motive behind the killing.
ORMOC CITY– A sitting barangay chairman was killed in a stabbing attack in Barangay Tiguib here on Tuesday morning, January 6, in an incident that has shocked the local community and prompted a swift police response.
The victim, Arnel Montallana, 56, married, and the incumbent barangay chairman Tiguib, was declared dead on arrival at Oras Doctor’s Hospital after sustaining multiple stab wounds. Police identified the suspect as Erick Lorot, 45, unemployed and single, a resident of the same barangay.
According to a report from the Oras Municipal Police Station (MPS) to the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), the stabbing occurred at around 7:50 a.m. A concerned resident alerted police, prompting responding officers to rush to the area.
Upon arrival, police found the barangay chairman lying bloodied on the side of the road with visible stab wounds. He was immediately rushed by an Emergency Response Team to the hospital but was pronounced dead by the attending physician.
Initial police investigation revealed that the victim had just brought his wife to their store in Barangay Tiguib and was on his way home aboard his motorcycle. While passing through an intersection about 40 meters from his residence, he was suddenly attacked by the suspect, who allegedly used a short-bladed weapon locally known as a “dipang,” stabbing the victim in various parts of his body.
Police said the victim managed to dismount his motorcycle and attempt to seek help, but the suspect chased him and stabbed him again, inflicting a fatal wound to the chest.
The suspect fled on foot toward the mountainous area of Barangay Camanga, but a hot pursuit operation conducted by the police led to his arrest at an isolated house owned by his younger brother in the same area.
Authorities said the suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood. He was brought, along with the weapon used in the incident, to the Oras MPS for proper disposition as police continue their investigation to determine the motive behind the attack.
SHEARLINE’S EFFECTS. Several areas in Eastern Visayas experienced flooding on Sunday, January 4, due to the shearline. The photo shows floodwaters inundating the town of Dolores in Eastern Samar. (DOLORES MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
Due to shearline
SHEARLINE’S EFFECTS. Several areas in Eastern Visayas experienced flooding on Sunday, January 4, due to the shearline. The photo shows floodwaters inundating the town of Dolores in Eastern Samar. (DOLORES MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY — Widespread flooding triggered by days of heavy rain from a shear line has disrupted classes across Eastern Visayas and left two fishermen missing in Eastern Samar, as authorities stepped up disaster response and safety measures across the region.
The missing fishermen were identified as Ian Allester, 26, of Barangay Soong, and Anthony, 50, of Barangay Tungkip, both residents of Llorente, Eastern Samar. The two failed to return after heading out to sea aboard a fishing banca named Mama Mary on January 2. Local authorities said search and monitoring operations are ongoing.
As rains continued to pound the region, local government units suspended classes at all levels, both public and private, on Monday, January 5. Class cancellations were announced in Catbalogan and Calbayog cities and the town of Daram in Samar; Dulag, Carigara, and Tanauan in Leyte; San Policarpo, Jipapad, Dolores, and Sulat in Eastern Samar; and Caibiran, Culaba, Kawayan, Cabucgayan, and Almeria in Biliran province.
Earlier, the Tacloban City government and the entire province of Northern Samar also ordered class suspensions due to worsening weather conditions.
In Borongan City, flooding affected 379 families or 1,266 individuals in Barangays Siha and Balacdas, according to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
Eastern Samar’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that at least 54 families, or 153 individuals, from three low-lying barangays in Jipapad were evacuated to government-designated centers.
Municipal DRRM Officer Vicky Abestros said floodwaters inundated 10 of the town’s 13 barangays, with water levels in Poblacions 1, 3, and 4 reaching up to three to five feet deep.
“The affected families are now staying in evacuation centers, while others are temporarily sheltered in elevated private homes,” Abestros said on Sunday, January 4.
As a precaution, power supply in Jipapad—a low-lying town with a population of more than 8,500—was temporarily cut off upon the request of the municipal government to prevent possible electrocution.
Flooding was also reported in the towns of Maslog, Dolores, and Llorente, as well as in Borongan City, which placed all barangay disaster risk reduction and management offices on alert amid continuous rainfall.
In Leyte, Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla ordered the raising of Blue Alert Status on Sunday afternoon, activating all municipal and city disaster offices to ensure coordinated response and preparedness. Several LGUs in the province—including Carigara, Dulag, Leyte, Palo, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and MacArthur—also suspended classes on Monday.
Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez likewise ordered the suspension of classes at all levels due to flooding in several barangays. Some families were evacuated, while schools, particularly in the northern part of the city, were inspected and opened as potential evacuation centers.
In Biliran province, flooding affected the town of Kawayan, while landslides were reported in Barangays San Roque and Pinanihagon in Culaba.
In Naval, the provincial capital, authorities opened two major evacuation centers and ordered mandatory evacuation on Sunday afternoon for residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas. Public schools in Maripipi were also readied to accommodate possible evacuees.
Northern Samar also experienced flooding in Catubig and Lope de Vega, while strong winds toppled trees in Catarman. Flooding was likewise reported in Calbayog City, Samar.
Due to rough sea conditions, the Philippine Coast Guard enforced a no-sailing policy in parts of Eastern and Northern Samar to prevent maritime accidents.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Eastern Visayas urged LGUs to fully activate their disaster risk reduction and management offices as more rainfall is expected, raising the risk of further flooding and landslides.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has prepositioned 176,806 family food packs and 18,543 non-food items, including hygiene and sleeping kits, for distribution to affected families.
A shearline is a weather feature where two air masses with different temperatures or wind directions meet. This creates a narrow zone of strong wind changes, which often leads to heavy rain, thunderstorms, and sometimes flooding, especially in the tropics.
