ORMOC CITY— A suspected drug personality classified as a street-level individual voluntarily surrendered to police on Tuesday morning, January 6, following a community-based anti-illegal drugs operation, authorities said.
The individual, identified as alias “Jeff,” 33, unemployed, and a resident of Biliran town, presented himself at the Biliran Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Barangay San Isidro, Biliran, Biliran at around 11:00 a.m.
Police said the surrender came after personnel of the Biliran MPS visited his residence as part of “Oplan Tokhang” or “Toktok Hangyo,” a door-to-door approach encouraging individuals involved in illegal drugs to reform and cooperate with authorities.
After surrendering, the individual underwent standard police procedures, including interview, documentation, mugshot taking, and booking. He also executed an affidavit of undertaking, committing to refrain from engaging in any form of illegal drug activities and to cooperate with the police in their ongoing anti-illegal drug efforts within the municipality.
Authorities said the program aims to promote voluntary reform and strengthen community cooperation in addressing the illegal drug problem at the local level.
House Minority Floor Leader Marcelino ‘Noynoy’ Libanan
House Minority Floor Leader Marcelino ‘Noynoy’ Libanan
TACLOBAN CITY — With the current Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program set to lapse in 2027, House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan is urging Congress to move early in crafting and approving a successor law to ensure the continuity of the country’s defense build-up.
Libanan stressed that timely legislative action is crucial to avoid gaps in planning, funding, and procurement as the 15-year revised AFP Modernization Program nears its end.
“The revised AFP Modernization Program, enacted in 2012, will expire in 2027. Congress should enact a successor modernization framework ahead of its expiration to ensure a smooth transition to the next phase,” Libanan said. “By acting early, we can keep the AFP capable, credible, and responsive, while maintaining a stable and coherent long-term modernization strategy.”
The AFP modernization program focuses on upgrading the military’s capabilities through the acquisition of advanced equipment, weapons systems, and defense technologies, including intelligence and surveillance assets critical to national security.
In 2025, the program reached several milestones with the delivery of two newly built 3,200-ton guided-missile frigates—BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Diego Silang. These vessels complement the earlier deliveries of the 2,600-ton guided-missile frigates BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna in 2020 and 2021.
The Department of National Defense also received five additional S-70i Black Hawk multi-role helicopters in 2025 and finalized a contract for 12 more FA-50PH supersonic fighter jets.
Funding support for modernization continues to grow, with the 2026 General Appropriations Act allocating P40 billion in capital outlays for AFP modernization projects, up from P35 billion in 2025.
Congress first approved a 15-year AFP modernization program in 1995 through Republic Act No. 7898, which earmarked at least P50 billion for the first five years. The program was revised and extended in 2012 under Republic Act No. 10349, increasing initial funding to P75 billion for the same period.
Budget records show that from 2013 to 2025, Congress allocated a total of P313.6 billion in new appropriations to support the AFP modernization program, with an additional P134.1 billion authorized in unprogrammed appropriations to further bolster the military’s capability development.
Libanan said sustaining these gains requires foresight and decisive action from lawmakers to ensure that the AFP’s modernization remains on track beyond 2027.
TACLOBAN CITY — Police arrested a barangay tanod after he allegedly attacked a coast guard draftee with a rattan stick in broad daylight along Paterno Street in Barangay 28 here on Monday morning, January 12.
The suspect was identified as “Mik,” 46, single, and a resident of Barangay 28. The victim, “Aries,” 27, is a coast guard draftee from Barangay 42, Quarry District.
Police here said that the incident occurred at around 10 a.m. while Aries was walking home with his live-in partner, “Jha,” from her residence. As they passed through an alley in the area, the suspect allegedly appeared suddenly and struck the victim twice in the stomach using a rattan stick, without any apparent provocation.
The victim attempted to move away, but the suspect reportedly followed him and continued urging him to come closer. Aries managed to avoid further injury by raising his hands to shield himself until a concerned resident intervened and stopped the assault.
Personnel from Police Station 2 of the Tacloban City Police Office later tracked down the suspect outside his residence and placed him under arrest. The suspect, along with the victim and a witness, was brought to the police station for investigation and proper disposition.
Police said appropriate charges will be filed against the suspect after the completion of the investigation.
ORMOC CITY– Police in Capoocan, Leyte launched an intensive manhunt after a shooting in Barangay Pinamopoan left a local speedboat operator injured and struggling for life on January 8, 2026.
The victim, identified as alias “Joven,” a member of the Capoocan Fisheries Law Enforcement Team (FLET) and a resident of Barangay Culasian, was found lying face down near a resort cottage with a gunshot wound to the head when authorities arrived.
Initial reports and witness statements from the resort owner indicate that the suspects, alias “Darwin” and alias “Dong-Dong,” both residents of Barangay Pinamopoan, had been drinking with the victim earlier in the afternoon. About an hour later, a gunshot was heard, and the suspects were seen fleeing the scene.
During the ensuing hot pursuit operation, alias “Dong-Dong” voluntarily surrendered to police and is now under custody for investigation. Meanwhile, alias “Darwin” remains at large, prompting ongoing intensified manhunt operations by the Capoocan Municipal Police Station under Lt. Sergio Llaneta III, Officer-in-Charge.
Llaneta assured the public that the incident will not go unanswered and urged residents to report any information that could lead to the arrest of the remaining suspect. The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation, and authorities are working to expedite the filing of appropriate charges.
The Capoocan Police emphasized their continued commitment to maintaining peace and order in the municipality while ensuring justice is served.
ORMOC CITY— A 75-year-old farmer was killed after being struck by a speeding truck along the national road in Barangay Picas Norte, Javier, Leyte late Friday night, January 9.
The victim, identified as alias “Jaime,” a widower and resident of Brgy. Picas, was declared dead on arrival at Abuyog District Hospital after the accident occurred around 11:30 p.m.
Authorities said the vehicle involved was an Isuzu 10-wheeler truck driven by alias “Glen,” 36, a married resident of Brgy. Talinga Bacungan, Zamboanga Del Norte.
According to the Javier Municipal Police Station (MPS), responding officers were alerted by a concerned citizen about the mishap. Investigations indicated that the victim, accompanied by two companions, was attempting to cross the road when the truck, reportedly traveling at high speed, approached. Despite hesitation, the victim proceeded and was struck by the vehicle.
The victim sustained fatal injuries and was transported to the hospital by Javier Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) responders, but the attending physician, Dr. Emarie Gwen Barreto, declared him dead on arrival.
The driver and the truck were brought to Javier MPS for proper investigation and disposition.
Naglabas ang Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) ng bagong patakaran at pamantayan para sa pagtanggal ng pugita sa mata.
Ang PhilHealth Circular No. 2025-0021, na magiging epektibo sa Nobyembre 15, 2025, ay
naglalayong tiyakin ang kalidad ng pangangalaga sa mata para sa lahat ng miyembro at isakatuparan ang agenda sa kalusugan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Ang pterygium (te-ri-jum) o pugita sa mata ay isang kondisyon na tumutubo sa mata nakadalasang bunga ng exposure o pagkabilad sa araw. Ang operasyon ay inirerekomenda lamang kapag nagdudulot na ito ng malaking problema sa paningin o matinding iritasyon. “Ito ang aming hakbang upang tiyakin na ang bawat miyembro ng PhilHealth ay makatatanggap ng pinakamataas na posibleng pamantayan ng pangangalaga sa mata”, ayon kay Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, Pangulo at Punong Tagapagpatupad ng PhilHealth. “Kami ay nakikipagtulungan sa mga ekspertong doktor at pinapalakas pa namin ang aming mga sistema ng pagsubaybay upang matagumpay na matupad ang mandato ng PhilHealth na makapaghatid ng benepisyong may kalidad”, dagdag pa ni Dr. Mercado.
Ang PhilHealth Circular ay binuo ng PhilHealth katuwang ang mga eksperto mula sa Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology at Philippine Cornea Society, Inc., na tumitiyak na ang operasyon ay batay sa pinakabagong high standards of care.
Nilalayon ng patakaran na i-standardize ang pangangalaga, maiwasan ang mga komplikasyon, at tiyakin na de-kalidad ang serbisyong matatanggap ng miyembro.
Ang pakete ng PhilHealth para sa operasyon sa pagtanggal ng pugita sa mata (Pterygium
Excision with Graft (RVS 65426)) ay P18,915 samantalang P59,085 para sa Ocular Surface Reconstruction (RVS 65780, 65781, 65782).
Nakasaad din sa bagong patakaran na magpapatupad ang PhilHealth ng maximum claim limit para sa mga eye surgeon. Ito ay upang maiwasan ang mga unnecessary o volume-driven na operasyon at matiyak na ang bawat pamamaraan ay ginagawa batay sa tunay na pangangailangan ng pasyente.
Hinihikayat ng PhilHealth ang mga miyembro at healthcare providers na maging pamilyar sa PhilHealth Circular No. 2025-0021 upang tiyakin ang pagsunod at tamang paggamit ng benepisyo. Maaaring i-download ang bagong patakaran sa www.philhealth.gov.ph. (PR)
