TACLOBAN CITY – A high-value drug personality ranked No. 3 in the regional priority target list was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of Police Station 1 of the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) on Wednesday night, June 11, in Barangay 6-A.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Roy,” 45, single, a tricycle driver, and a resident of the said barangay, was apprehended around 10:10 pm.
Confiscated from his possession was one sachet of suspected shabu, purchased by an undercover operative for P500. A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of mandatory witnesses, yielded four more sachets of suspected shabu.
While the suspect declined to issue a statement to the media, he did not deny ownership of the recovered illegal drugs.
Authorities said the suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.
Charges for violations of Sections 5 (sale of illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) under Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed against him. He is currently detained at the Police Station 1 lock-up cell.
ORMOC CITY– A 40-year-old farmer was found dead near an electric drop wire in a rice field in Barangay Ichon, Purok Binog, Macrohon, Southern Leyte, late Saturday evening, June 14.
Authorities suspect electrocution as the cause of death.
The victim, identified by police as alias “Tonyo,” single and a resident of the same barangay, was discovered lifeless by family members at around 10:17 pm.
According to the Macrohon Municipal Police Station, they received a message via Facebook Messenger at about 1:10 am reporting a suspected electrocution. Responding officers found the victim lying motionless near a live electrical drop wire in a nearby rice field.
Initial investigation revealed that the victim had earlier attended a drinking session at the home of a certain alias “Louie” with his parents. When his mother, alias “Digna,” returned home later that evening, she noticed that her son was missing. She and her husband later found him unresponsive in the field.
Police said the victim may have returned to the drinking venue on his own and decided to take a shortcut through a slippery rice field that included a bamboo footpath.
It is believed he slipped and accidentally grabbed a live electrical drop wire in an attempt to regain balance. Officers noted burn marks on the fingers of his right hand, consistent with electrocution.
The Macrohon Municipal Health Officer was called to the scene and officially declared the victim dead. A post-mortem examination was requested, and his body was transported home by personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection.
Investigation is ongoing.
NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, Northern Samar – To encourage environmental conservation and foster a sense of environmental responsibility, the Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office joined the nationwide simultaneous tree planting activity today, June 11, 2025, at Brgy. Talisay, Laoang, Northern Samar.
This tree planting activity was led by OIC-District Engineer, Atty. Arthur Eric L. Sabong. It was also attended by DPWH-NSSDEO Key Officials, and staff and employees, Barangay Officials of Brgy. Talisay, headed by Hon. Gaudencio R. Villosa, Barangay Health Workers (BHW), and Brgy. Tanods.
A total of 250 mangroves were planted at intertidal zone, which will safeguard the seaside communities of Brgy. Talisay, Laoang, Northern Samar. According to a nearby resident, their location is susceptible and prone to unusual rise of sea water level especially in times of inclement weather. By this activity, NSSDEO is not only focusing on infrastructure development, but also improving the welfare of the community.
This undertaking aligns with the observance of Philippine Arbor Day, which is celebrated every month of June through tree planting, and in conjunction with the DPWH’s 127th Founding Anniversary and as a part of its commitment to environmental protection, and a way to give back to the environment and combat climate change.
The DPWH is actively involved in tree planting initiatives, underscoring the importance of incorporating sustainable development and protecting its infrastructure projects, and show the Department’s significant ways to protect and preserve our planet for future generations.
KANANGA FESTIVAL. About six festival contingents participated in this year’s Kananga Kaanyag Festival held on Sunday,June 15, as it celebrates its 75th founding anniversary. (PHOTO COURTESY)
KANANGA, Leyte– The major streets of this town burst into color and rhythm on Sunday, June 15, as it marked the third year of its Kaanyag Festival, celebrating local heritage with vibrant performances and an intensified dance competition.
Now a highlight of Kananga’s cultural calendar, the festival featured six contingents competing in school-based and open categories during the much-anticipated ritual dance showdown, held in celebration of the town’s 75th founding anniversary.
In the school-based category were Kananga II District (Mattswerting Kanangahanon), Kananga III District (Banay Alimyon), and Kananga I District (Kanangahanong Mattahum).
The open category featured ‘Tribu ni Don Mariano Lantawan Festival’ of Capoocan, Leyte; STI College Ormoc/Ormoc City’s ‘Pundok sa Nagkahiusang Ormocanon’, and ‘Pundok sa Villabanhanong Manaragat’.
Mayor Manuel Vicente “Matt” Torres expressed his gratitude to the performers and spectators, saying he hopes to see Kananga Kaanyag compete on national stages like Sinulog in Cebu and Aliwan Festival in Metro Manila.
“This festival is a vital cultural heritage of Kananga,” said Torres, emphasizing that it was the result of “intensive and comprehensive cultural mapping” in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
Adding flair to the festivities was the Kananga Kaanyag Festival Queen 2025 competition, with the following finalists Arian Mae Cogay (Kananga II District), Shielo Sabornido (Kananga III), Pia Lovelle Omega (Kananga I), Eliana Gunabe Igamen (Tribu ni Don Mariano), Ashley Marie Rojas (STI College Ormoc), and Rea Joy Encienzo Cometa (Pundok sa Villabanhanong Manaragat).
This year’s festival saw a significant boost in prize money, heightening the excitement among participants. The top award for the ritual dance competition rose from P200,000 to P500,000, while the street dance prize increased from P20,000 to P50,000—a fitting tribute to the town’s diamond jubilee celebration.
TACLOBAN CITY – The towns of Catarman and Catubig emerged as major winners during the two main competitions held on Sunday, June 16, 2025, as part of the 60th founding anniversary celebration of Northern Samar.
In the Ibabao Festival Float Parade 2025, Catubig outshone 16 other municipalities to claim the championship title, along with a P450,000 cash prize. The float parade highlighted the towns’ creativity, vibrant colors, and use of local products and heritage in crafting eye-catching mobile exhibits.
Entries were judged based on relevance to the festival theme, innovative use of materials, distinct representation of the town’s identity, and overall visual and cultural impact.
The other winners of the float parade are 2nd place – San Jose (P350,000);3rd place – Palapag (P250,000); 4th place – Lope de Vega (2024 champion, P150,000); and 5th place – San Roque (P100,000).
Non-winning municipalities each received a P50,000 consolation prize.
Meanwhile, in the Ibabao Festival Dance Competition 2025, Catarman’s Tarum Festival claimed the grand championship, bringing home a P600,000 cash prize. The winners were awarded by Governor Edwin Ongchuan, Northern Samar 2nd District Representative Harris Ongchuan, and Vice Governor Clarence Dato.
Other dance competition winners include 2nd place – Kadayaw Festival of Pambujan (P400,000); 3rd place – Lobika Festival of Lope de Vega (P300,000); 4th place – Managgiti Festival of Las Navas (P200,000); and 5th place – Sakay-Sakay Festival of Catubig (P150,000).
Non-winning contingents each received a P100,000 consolation prize.
These festival events are among the highlights of Northern Samar’s diamond anniversary celebration, drawing crowds from across the province and showcasing the cultural vibrancy and creativity of its people.
BRIDGE BRIEFING. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. receives a briefing from DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan on the condition of the San Juanico Bridge, which has been partially closed due to structural defects since May 15, 2025. The President inspected the bridge on Wednesday, June 11, following his visit to Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar. (RAUL TIOZON/PIA-8)
To last for a year
BRIDGE BRIEFING. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. receives a briefing from DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan on the conditionof the San Juanico Bridge, which has been partially closed due to structural defects since May 15, 2025. The President inspected the bridge on Wednesday, June 11, following his visit to Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar. (RAUL TIOZON/PIA-8)
BASEY, Samar — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has defended his decision to place Eastern Visayas under a state of calamity, saying it was essential to unlock immediate funding and support in response to disruptions triggered by the partial closure of the San Juanico Bridge.
“It’s important that we declared a state of calamity so we can bring in additional funding, additional services, and initiate convergence (among government agencies),” the President said in an ambush interview on Wednesday, June 11, during his visit to the Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar.
President Marcos signed Proclamation No. 920 on June 5, declaring a state of calamity in the region following the imposition of a three-ton weight limit on the 2.16-kilometer San Juanico Bridge—a key infrastructure linking Leyte and Samar and the rest of the country.
The state of calamity is to last for a year and would only be lifted once the traffic returns to normal, the President said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) enforced the restriction on May 15 due to structural concerns, a move that disrupted the delivery of goods, fuel, and basic necessities, particularly on the Samar side.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier recommended the declaration due to the growing economic and logistical impact following the load limit at the 2.16 kms iconic bridge.
During his visit, Marcos also spoke with truck drivers stranded due to the weight limit. He expressed concern about their welfare, noting they were struggling not only with lost income and meals but even with basic personal needs like bathing.
To ease the burden, the President said the government had mobilized more vessels for the Amandayehan Port–Tacloban Port route, which became operational on June 7 with a travel time of roughly 30 minutes. At least four shipping companies now operate on this route, offering up to 10 trips daily.
Marcos also said the government is exploring alternate transport corridors, such as those linking Calbayog City to Ormoc City and routes through Palompon, both in Leyte, to maintain the flow of essential supplies.
The proclamation received strong support from the business community.
Rhoel Ladera, a member of the Leyte-Tacloban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, thanked the President for acting quickly.
“The declaration empowers authorities to respond more quickly and allows for the faster release of funds to stabilize essential services and mitigate the logistical and economic fallout,” Ladera said.
He also emphasized that the proclamation “treats the issue not merely as infrastructure damage but as a regional or national crisis that demands urgent government intervention.”
Prior to the national declaration, Tacloban City, Samar, and Eastern Samar had already declared their own states of emergency.
The President was joined during the visit by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, his son Rep. Sandro Marcos, and Cabinet Secretaries Vince Dizon (Transportation) and Manuel Bonoan (Public Works and Highways).
