ORMOC CITY— A security guard narrowly escaped death after he was shot by a man during an argument in Barangay Palale 2, MacArthur, Leyte on Wednesday morning, August 20.

Police identified the suspect as “John,” 40, of Barangay Burabod, while the victim was “Jeric,” 38, a resident of Palale 2. Authorities said the incident stemmed from a confrontation the victim had the previous day with the suspect’s son.

During the altercation, John allegedly fired once at Jeric, who managed to evade the shot. Responding officers recovered a spent shell and a bullet of unknown caliber at the scene.

Police later arrested the suspect outside his residence in a hot pursuit operation, although the firearm used was not recovered. He was brought to the MacArthur Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— Police recovered a stolen white Toyota Vios from Laguna after its GPS tracker led authorities to an auto repair shop in Barangay San Policarpo, Calbayog City on Tuesday night, August 19.

The vehicle, owned by Benedict Javier Torio, was reported stolen in Calamba City, Laguna. Acting on Torio’s complaint through the KALASAG 911 Trunkline, Calbayog police tracked the car to a shop owned by Ricky Saceda.

Upon inspection, officers confirmed the vehicle’s engine number matched Torio’s certificate of registration, though its plate numbers had been altered. The car was brought to Calbayog City Police Station for safekeeping.

Authorities said the case remains under the jurisdiction of Calamba police, with coordination ongoing for the vehicle’s turnover and filing of charges.
(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY — Police operatives arrested a suspected high-value drug personality during a buy-bust operation inside a pension house in Barangay Cogon on Tuesday night, August 19.

City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) chief PLt. Ritche Selencio identified the suspect as “Arnel,” 49, a jobless resident of Barangay West. He is on the Ormoc City Police Office watchlist for allegedly operating not only in the city but also in nearby towns in Leyte.
Confiscated from him were 1.93 grams of suspected shabu worth around P13,124, including a sachet sold to an undercover operative and four more sachets recovered during a body search. Marked money used in the transaction was also seized.

The suspect is now detained at Police Station 1 while charges for violating RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared.
(ROBERT DEJON)

HONG KONG — The Advocacy for the Strengthening of Karatedo (ASK) Tacloban City bagged multiple medals at the Japan Karate Shoto-renmei (JKS) Karate-do Tournament 2025 held on August 10 at Yu Chun Keung Memorial College No. 2, Pok Fu Lam.

Leading the medal haul was Benedict B. Tiu (Leyte National High School) with two golds in Kumite Cadet -52kg and Male Kata (13–15 years old). Dave Manuel E. Tingzon (ACLC Senior High) secured silver in Kumite Juniors +60kg and bronze in Male Kata (16–17 years old), while Ramon Antoniño Hector L. Franco (Holy Spirit College Foundation) struck gold in Kumite -70kg, 40 years old and above.

Team manager and coach Stephanie Queen U. Franco lauded the athletes, saying their victories reflect “years of discipline, hard work, and the true fighting spirit of Tacloban and the Filipino people.”

The JKS Karate-do Tournament is one of Asia’s premier karate competitions, drawing top contenders from across the region. (PR)