ORMOC CITY– Three individuals were arrested and a suspected drug den dismantled during a buy-bust operation jointly conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Station Drug Enforcement Team of Police Station 1 (PS1) under the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) on May 6, in Barangay 87, Manlurip, Tacloban City.

PDEA Region 8 Director Bryan B. Babang identified the arrested suspects as alias “Peryong,” 40, married, tricycle driver, and a resident of Brgy. 83, Taguictic (identified as the drug den maintainer); alias “Linda,” 40, a street vendor and resident of Brgy. 87, Manlurip (den employee); and alias “Gil,” 39, a wedding designer from Brgy. 84, San Jose (den visitor).

A fourth suspect, alias “Dapyo,” 41, also a street vendor and believed to be a co-maintainer of the den, managed to elude arrest.

The operation targeted alias “Peryong,” from whom authorities recovered one sachet of suspected shabu worth P500 during the buy-bust.

A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of mandatory witnesses, yielded a black coin purse containing five additional sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 10.1 grams, with an estimated market value of P68,680. Authorities also recovered various drug paraphernalia and a marked P500 bill used in the operation.
The suspects were informed of the charges and their constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine in a language they understood.

Formal complaints for violation of Sections 5 (sale of illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), have been filed against the suspects, who are currently detained at Police Station 1 in Brgy. San Jose.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— A driver of a double-decker cargo truck sustained injuries after his vehicle collided with a passenger bus early Tuesday morning, May 6, in Barangay Concepcion, Gandara, Samar.

The victim, identified only as “Roy,” 35, single, and a resident of Barangay Balud, Calbayog City, was driving a white double-decker truck at the time of the incident. The other driver, identified as “Raymond,” 51, married, and a resident of Barangay Guindapunan, Catbalogan City, was operating a multi-colored JM Liner passenger bus.

According to the Gandara Municipal Police Station (MPS), the accident occurred around 6:00 am after the double-decker truck swerved into the opposite lane to avoid a vehicle parked along the roadside. The sudden maneuver caused it to collide with the oncoming bus.

As a result, the truck driver was pinned inside his vehicle and sustained injuries. He was immediately rescued and rushed to Gandara District Hospital for medical treatment. The bus driver was unharmed.

Both vehicles and the bus driver are currently under the custody of the Gandara MPS for investigation and proper disposition.

Authorities have not yet released the official plate numbers or assessed the full extent of the damage to the vehicles.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Tourism(DOT) in the region is ramping up its efforts to spotlight the region’s rich culinary heritage by weaving native dishes into travel itineraries and strengthening partnerships with the private sector.

DOT-8 Regional Director Karina Rosa Topes said in an interview that the agency is taking a more strategic approach to food tourism, recognizing that local cuisine plays a vital role in enhancing the overall visitor experience. She noted that tourist arrivals have already reached 1.6 million in 2024, signaling robust interest in the region.

“When you visit a place, the first thing you ask is, ‘Where do we stay?’ But after that, the next question is always, ‘Where do we eat?’ Local food enhances the tourism industry,” Topes said.

Although food tourism is not yet tracked separately in official data, she emphasized that local cuisine is deeply embedded in nearly all tourism activities across Eastern Visayas. Food may not be classified as a standalone attraction, she explained, but it is a natural and essential part of the travel experience.

Tiopes urged event organizers and local businesses to serve native dishes, especially during functions attended by visitors from outside the region. This practice, she said, not only introduces guests to Eastern Visayas’ unique flavors but also reinforces regional identity.
“We’ve been encouraging our partners in the private sector—especially for seminars and events with participants from outside Region 8—to let guests experience something that is truly ours,” she added.

To ensure a positive dining experience, DOT-8 regularly conducts food hygiene and safety training for local vendors and tourism stakeholders. These sessions cover proper food handling, preparation, and quality control to prevent food-related incidents.

In addition, the agency is helping local culinary talents level up their skills through a series of specialized workshops. These include training on traditional street food, modern fusion cuisine, and other culinary styles aimed at expanding the appeal of local fare to a broader audience.

“We have a variety of culinary trainings—street food, fusion cuisine, and more. We’re also actively linking local food providers with private sector opportunities to promote their offerings,” Tiopes said.

Under its tourism branding campaign “Infinite Escapes,” the region has launched “Infinite Eats,” a food-focused initiative designed to showcase the distinctive tastes of Eastern Visayas—from humble street snacks to heirloom recipes passed down through generations.
By making food a central element of its tourism strategy, DOT-8 hopes to position the region as a must-visit destination not just for its natural beauty and history, but also for its unforgettable flavors.

(NAPOLEON JASPER BALTAR, LNU STUDENT INTERN)