TACLOBAN CITY — The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) has clarified that it properly coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in the operation that resulted in the arrest of 12 Chinese nationals in Tacloban City, denying claims of an intelligence lapse or police inaction.

In a statement, PRO-8 said the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) first conducted surveillance after receiving reports about the suspicious activities of several foreign nationals in the area. Upon verification, TCPO immediately referred the matter to the Bureau of Immigration, the agency with the sole authority to verify and enforce immigration laws.

The BI later confirmed that the 12 Chinese nationals had violated the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 for misrepresentation and were also charged under the Alien Registration Act of 1950 (Republic Act 562).

PRO-8 further explained that police personnel assigned at nearby checkpoints could not have lawfully apprehended the foreign nationals without clear evidence of a crime, as doing so would have been considered an overreach of police authority and a violation of human rights protocols.

The regional office also clarified that the arrested foreigners were employees of an internet service provider and not connected to any Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO). Intelligence monitoring, it added, has so far found no evidence of POGO-related operations in Eastern Visayas.

PRO-8 underscored that the police followed due process and maintained close coordination with concerned national agencies throughout the operation to ensure legality and transparency.

“The PNP remains committed to upholding the rule of law while protecting the rights of all individuals within its jurisdiction,” the statement said.

The Chinese nationals were arrested on Oct. 15 inside their office at Ocean Wave in Brgy.95-A, Caibaan, this city.

The arrested individuals were identified as officials and employees of Ocean Wave Communications (Philippines) Corp., also known as Hailang Communications (Philippines) Company, an internet service provider operating in Tacloban City and nearby areas, including Palo, Leyte.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The National Housing Authority (NHA) in the region has launched a condonation and restructuring program aimed at helping delinquent housing beneficiaries settle their long-overdue amortizations and retain ownership of their homes.

The initiative, implemented under Memorandum Circular No. 2025-075 or the Socialized and Low-Cost Housing Loan Restructuring and Condonation Program, seeks to ease the financial burden of homeowners with at least three months of unpaid amortizations as of May 1, 2025.

According to Engr. Silverio Gempeson Jr., officer-in-charge of the NHA Leyte I District Office, the program grants 100% condonation of penalties and delinquency charges and 95% condonation of unpaid interest. This allows qualified beneficiaries to restructure their loans and continue payments under more manageable terms.

“This program offers beneficiaries a second chance to settle their housing obligations and secure ownership of their homes,” Gempeson said in a statement.

Eligible beneficiaries include residents from the following NHA housing projects:

Kandungganan Village Project – Bliss, Sagkahan, Tacloban City; Fisherman’s Village – Brgy. 88, San Jose, Tacloban City; Cancabato Ville – Brgy. 88, Tacloban City; Palo Housing Project – Brgy. Baras, Palo, Leyte; and Sangyaw Village AFP/PNP Housing Project – Brgy. Tagpuro, Tacloban City

Interested homeowners are advised to visit the NHA Leyte I District Office along Calanipawan Road, Sagkahan, Tacloban City, to verify their eligibility and request account computations.

The deadline for the submission of applications is October 31, 2025.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) has partnered with the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) in a campaign to stop the illegal use of air guns, improvised, and unlicensed firearms that threaten the country’s national bird and other wildlife species.
The initiative aims to address the persistent problem of illegal hunting in upland areas of Eastern Visayas, where these firearms are often used to kill or injure the critically endangered Philippine eagle.

In a statement released on Thursday, Oct.23, PRO-8 underscored that such acts violate key national laws, including Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. Possession and use of unregistered or homemade firearms, the police said, are punishable under these laws.

The regional police office said it is working closely with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local government units (LGUs), and environmental groups to strengthen enforcement operations and promote awareness in local communities.

PRO-8 urged the public to report any incidents of illegal firearm use and wildlife hunting, emphasizing that protecting the Philippine eagle—a symbol of strength and national pride—requires the cooperation of all sectors.

“Together, we can ensure that future generations will continue to witness the majestic flight of this bird in our skies,” the statement said.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)