TACLOBAN CITY– Security forces recovered a cache of explosives and firearms believed to have been concealed by remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in a remote area of Albuera, Leyte, following information provided by a former rebel.

Troops from the 93rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division, together with personnel from the Regional Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit 8 of the Philippine National Police, conducted the recovery operation in the hinterlands of Sitio Buak, Barangay Tinag-an.

The operation was based on information provided by a former rebel who disclosed the location of the hidden weapons cache.

Authorities recovered 12 hand grenades, two dismantled M16 rifles with four magazines, and a .45-caliber pistol with a magazine and ammunition.

The recovered hand grenades were subsequently disposed of with the assistance of explosive ordnance disposal personnel from the Philippine Army and the PNP.

Lt. Col. Celeste Frank Sayson, commanding officer of the 93rd Infantry Battalion, credited the former rebel’s cooperation for the successful recovery.

“We are grateful for the help of the former rebel. This accomplishment would not have been possible without the cooperation of the former rebel who has decided to support the government’s peace efforts,” Sayson said.

He added that the disclosure of the weapons’ location demonstrated the former rebel’s commitment to preventing violence and helping protect communities from threats posed by remaining Communist terrorist group elements.

The 8th Infantry Division commended the 93rd Infantry Battalion and the PNP for the operation, saying the recovery and destruction of the war materiel prevented the weapons and explosives from being used in future attacks that could endanger civilians and security forces.

The division said it would continue intelligence-driven operations while strengthening cooperation with communities and other stakeholders and supporting programs aimed at encouraging remaining rebels to surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society.
The military said these efforts form part of the government’s continuing campaign to promote lasting peace, security and sustainable development in Eastern Visayas.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Authorities seized alleged smuggled cigarettes worth P3.25 million and arrested three suspects during a joint entrapment operation in Basey, Samar on Tuesday, Aug. 4, in what police described as part of their intensified campaign against illicit tobacco trade.

The operation was conducted in Barangay Amandayehan by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 8–Regional Special Operations Team (CIDG RFU 8-RSOT), in coordination with the Basey Municipal Police Station, the Regional Special Operations Team–Regional Maritime Unit 8, the Regional Intelligence Division/Regional Special Operations Unit 8–Team Samar, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District Office in Tacloban City.

Arrested were a 38-year-old driver from Guiuan, Eastern Samar identified only as alias “Dev,” a 29-year-old unemployed woman known as alias “May,” and a 42-year-old driver from Basey identified as alias “Rod.”

Police said the suspects were caught in possession of 50 master cases of “CANON Menthol” cigarettes allegedly lacking the required BIR excise tax stamps and graphic health warnings.

The confiscated cigarettes were estimated to be worth P3.25 million.

Also recovered during the operation were the marked money used in the entrapment, two mobile phones, and three vehicles allegedly used to transport the contraband—an Isuzu utility vehicle, a Toyota HiAce van, and a Suzuki Traviz utility vehicle.

Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, director of the Police Regional Office 8, commended the operating units for the successful operation, saying it underscores the police’s continued efforts to curb illicit trade and protect government revenues.

“The success of this entrapment operation demonstrates our sustained commitment to combating illicit trade and protecting government revenue from illegal activities. We will continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency coordination to ensure those engaged in unlawful activities are brought to justice,” Capoy said.
The suspects were taken to the CIDG Tacloban City Field Unit for documentation and proper disposition.

Authorities are preparing charges against them for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10643 or the Graphic Health Warnings Law, provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code on excise taxes as amended by Republic Act No. 11346, and Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

The Philippine government has intensified its crackdown on the illegal cigarette trade, which authorities say deprives the government of billions of pesos in excise tax revenues each year while allowing the proliferation of untaxed tobacco products in the market.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Samar has opened the “Ladawan: Samar Artists Club Exhibit” at Balay Samarnon in Catbalogan City, bringing together the works of visual artists from across the province as one of the major cultural highlights of the 2026 Tandaya Festival.

The exhibit, formally launched on Aug. 3 through a ribbon-cutting ceremony organized by the Samar Provincial Library, showcases paintings, sculptures, and handcrafted artworks created by artists from various parts of Samar.

Featured in the exhibition are members of the Catbalogan Artist Club, the Calbayog City Visual Arts Association, and artists from the municipalities of Paranas and Daram, reflecting the province’s diverse and vibrant visual arts community.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Provincial Administrator Fe Tan-Arcales said the exhibit celebrates the creativity and cultural identity of the Samarnon people.
“Today, we celebrate more than the opening of an art exhibit; we celebrate the creativity that lives in every Samarnon,” Tan-Arcales said. “Art reminds us of who we are, where we come from, and what we can become.”

She said the provincial government remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote artistic excellence and provide opportunities for local artists to develop their craft.
According to Tan-Arcales, a thriving arts community contributes not only to the preservation of Samar’s cultural heritage but also to education, tourism, and sustainable economic development.

Representing the participating artist groups, Donald Laguipo of the Catbalogan Artist Club and Gonzalo Ostulano of the Calbayog City Visual Arts Association thanked Governor Tan and the provincial government for providing local artists with a platform to showcase their works.

The Ladawan Art Exhibit is open to the public from Aug. 3 to 9 at Balay Samarnon in Catbalogan City, where visitors can view artworks that highlight the creativity, heritage, and artistic traditions of Samar.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)