ORMOC CITY – A 16-year-old boy, listed as Eastern Visayas’ Top 1 Most Wanted Person under the Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL) category, was arrested on Monday, July 7, 2025, in Barangay Busay, Barugo, Leyte, for two counts of statutory rape.

The suspect, an out-of-school youth and resident of Barugo, was apprehended at around 3:30 p.m. by joint operatives from the Barugo Municipal Police Station (MPS), Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU), Provincial Intelligence Team–Leyte, 2nd Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company (LPMFC), and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO).

The arrest was made by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued on July 2, 2025, by Judge Lauro Andres Perez Castillo Jr., presiding judge of RTC Branch 36, Carigara, Leyte, under Criminal Case Nos. R-BAR-2025-031-CR and R-BAR-2025-032-CR. No bail was recommended by the court.

Following standard procedures for minors in conflict with the law, the suspect was brought to Barugo MPS for documentation and later turned over to the MSWDO for proper custody and intervention, in accordance with child protection and juvenile justice protocols.
Authorities have not released further details due to the sensitivity of the case and the suspect’s minor status.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

ORMOC CITY – Police are investigating the discovery of an unidentified man’s body found floating off the coast of Barangay Baco, Leyte town, Leyte on the evening of July 7, 2025.
Responding to a report around 9:30 p.m., the Leyte Municipal Police Station (MPS) confirmed spotting a body drifting approximately 300 to 400 meters from the shoreline.

The victim, believed to be between 30 and 40 years old, stood about 5’3”, had a medium build, and wore a yellow-green shirt, blue shorts, and black sandals. He had an army-cut hairstyle.

Initial assessment showed no visible wounds or signs of injury. The body remains in Barangay Baco pending the arrival of Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for further examination and identification.

Authorities are appealing to the public for help in identifying the deceased. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the Leyte MPS.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Leyte and AirAsia Philippines have officially launched the Tacloban-Leyte route through a strategic media and content creator familiarization tour aimed at positioning Leyte as the primary gateway to Eastern Visayas.

“This powerful collaboration between AirAsia Philippines and the province of Leyte marks a major step forward in positioning our province as a top destination in Eastern Visayas,” Governor Petilla said in a statement posted on his official social media page.

“This initiative opens new doors for increased visibility, stronger partnerships, and sustainable tourism growth,” he added.

The event is part of a broader tourism development strategy that seeks to revitalize the local tourism industry post-pandemic and align it with national tourism goals.
With AirAsia now actively servicing the Tacloban-Leyte route, both partners hope to establish stronger connectivity and more accessible travel options for both domestic and international tourists.

“This is just the beginning,” Gov. Petilla noted, emphasizing that more collaborative campaigns and tourism infrastructure improvements are on the horizon to support the province’s long-term vision as a key tourism hub in Eastern Visayas.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY — A construction worker was killed while 13 others sustained injuries after a dump truck carrying them crashed into a drainage canal in Barangay Calaguise, Leyte, Leyte, on Thursday morning, July 10.

The incident occurred around 7:50 a.m. and involved a blue Isuzu dump truck owned by WILBAR Sand and Gravel. The truck was driven by a certain “Ricky,” 44, a resident of Barangay Balucanad, Capoocan, Leyte.

Initial reports from the Leyte Municipal Police Station indicate that the vehicle was en route from Capoocan to Brgy. Calaguise when the truck’s brake system reportedly malfunctioned, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a drainage canal.

On board were 14 passengers, mostly construction workers and laborers, identified only by aliases for initial reporting purposes: “Vic,” 21, construction worker; “Vic-vic,” 57, steelman; “Chard,” 44, construction worker;“Nory,” 21; “Sinoy,” 59; “Rey,” legal age, laborer; “Jonny,” legal age, laborer; “Jojo,” 25, laborer;“Rommy,” 39, laborer; “Dante,” 31, laborer; “Franco,” 42, welder; Another “Rey,” legal age; “Ray,” legal age; and “Oliver,” 38, construction worker.

All passengers and the driver are residents of Capoocan, Leyte.

Emergency responders immediately brought the victims to the Leyte Municipal Rural Health Unit, with most of them later transferred to OSPA-Farmer’s Medical Center (OSPA-FMC) in Ormoc City for further treatment.

“Oliver,” 38, was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.

Authorities are still conducting a thorough investigation to determine the full circumstances behind the mechanical failure and whether proper safety protocols were followed.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)