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.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

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.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

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.

(ROBERT DEJON)