ORMOC CITY– A barangay official wanted for alleged malversation of public funds was arrested by police operatives in Barangay Sangay, Palapag, Northern Samar on Tuesday morning, April 14.

The suspect, identified only as alias “Henry,” 49, married, and a resident of the said barangay, was apprehended at around 11:45 a.m. by elements of the 2nd Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company in coordination with the Philippine National Police Palapag Municipal Police Station.

Authorities said the arrest was carried out by virtue of a warrant issued on April 13, 2026 by a local trial court in Palapag for the crime of malversation of public property under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.

The court recommended bail of P36,000 for the temporary liberty of the accused.
Police said the suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he understood.

He was brought to the Palapag Municipal Police Station for booking and proper disposition and will be presented before the court that issued the warrant.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— A five-year-old girl died after drowning in a swimming pool at a beach resort in Barangay Catmon, Naval, Biliran on Sunday, April 12, authorities said.

The victim, identified only as alias “Jen,” a resident of Naval, was found unconscious at the pool of Chamorita Beach Resort and was later declared dead on arrival at the Biliran Provincial Hospital.

Police said they received a report of the incident at around 3:30 p.m. and immediately responded to the scene. Initial investigation, however, showed that the drowning occurred earlier at around 10:45 a.m.

Investigators said the child was part of a group of 13 individuals—four adults and nine minors—who entered the pool area earlier that morning. The resort caretaker had reportedly warned the group, particularly the parents, to closely watch the children due to the pool’s deep portion.

Despite the warning, authorities said the child was later reported missing while the adults were preoccupied inside the pool area.

A search was conducted by the group but yielded no result until another group of swimmers arrived. One of the children accidentally stepped on something at the bottom of the pool, prompting the caretaker to check and eventually discover the victim lying face down and unresponsive.

The caretaker immediately pulled the child out of the water while a nurse at the scene attempted to revive her, but efforts were unsuccessful. The Naval Rescue Unit later transported the victim to the hospital, where she was declared dead.

Police continue to investigate the incident and reiterated the importance of close adult supervision of children, especially in swimming areas with varying depths.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY — A 52-year-old habal-habal driver was arrested by police after allegedly brandishing and firing a homemade firearm during a disturbance in Barangay Cangcahipos, Laoang in Northern Samar early Saturday morning, April 11.

Police identified the suspect only as alias “Vic,” a resident of the said barangay.
According to the Laoang Municipal Police Station (MPS), the incident was reported to authorities through a cellphone call from a concerned citizen around 4:00 a.m., prompting immediate police response to verify the situation.

Initial investigation showed that the suspect had been drinking with a neighbor when his live-in partner reportedly asked their child to remind him to stop drinking, citing previous incidents of disturbance while intoxicated. The reminder allegedly angered the suspect, who felt embarrassed and went inside their house.

A heated argument between the couple followed, during which the suspect reportedly uttered, “Ayaw ak pakialami kay waray makagbuot sa ak!” (“Don’t bother me because no one can control me!”)

Police said the suspect later came out of the house armed with a caliber .45 pistol and an improvised firearm locally known as “boga.” He then allegedly roamed the area, shouting challenges at residents, saying, “Sige, guwa kun sino maisog sa iyo!” (“Come out, who among you is brave!”)

The suspect also reportedly pointed his firearm at nearby residents, causing panic and forcing some to take cover.

Barangay officials attempted to intervene and calm the suspect, but he reportedly continued his actions and tried to flee the area.

Responding police officers were eventually able to arrest him and recover one loaded improvised firearm. The .45-caliber pistol, however, was not recovered.

He is currently under the custody of the Laoang lock-up facility for proper disposition.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— A 64-year-old man was found dead and already in an advanced state of decomposition inside a residential area in Barangay Muñoz, Catbalogan City on Friday afternoon, April 10.

Police identified the victim as alias “Frank,” a single, jobless resident of the said barangay.
Based on the initial report of the Catbalogan City Police Station, authorities received a call from a concerned citizen around 4:30 p.m. reporting the discovery of a dead body in Sitio Palanas, Purok 5, Barangay Muñoz.

Responding personnel immediately proceeded to the area to verify the report and found the victim’s lifeless body already in a state of decomposition.

Neighbors told investigators that the victim was known in the community for his habitual drinking of alcoholic beverages.

Police said there were no visible signs of external injuries or struggle at the scene, and no indications of foul play were initially established.

Authorities have coordinated with the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for proper examination and processing of the remains.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — The City Veterinary Office (CVO) intensified its anti-rabies campaign by conducting a house-to-house vaccination drive in Barangay 80 Marasbaras, where 58 domestic pets were immunized on Tuesday, April 14.

The activity is part of the city government’s ongoing mass vaccination program aimed at strengthening rabies prevention efforts by bringing free services directly to communities and increasing compliance among pet owners.

Veterinary personnel led the door-to-door operations, administering anti-rabies vaccines to dogs while also reminding residents of the importance of responsible pet ownership and regular immunization.

Student interns from Leyte Normal University’s Bachelor of Science in Biology program assisted in the fieldwork, helping with vaccination support and documentation.

City officials emphasized that rabies remains a serious but preventable public health concern, urging pet owners to take advantage of free government services and ensure their pets are vaccinated annually.

The CVO said it will continue barangay-level vaccination drives in the coming weeks as part of its goal to achieve sustained rabies control and promote a safer, rabies-free community.

(JUSTIN CARL SABILLO, LNU STUDENT INTERN)