ORMOC CITY-Authorities are investigating the killing of an ex-convict who was found dead along the national highway in Barangay Hibunawan, Baybay City.

The victim, identified only as alias “Garry,” 41, whose dead body was found along a national highway of Sitio Ceinda, Barangay Gabas last Jan. 24.

Police said he was a known member of the Batang Samar-Leyte (BSL) gang and was suspected of being involved in illegal drug activities.

According to the Baybay City Police, they received a report from the Baybay Emergency Rescue Unit (BERU) about a possible vehicular accident in the area. Barangay officials initially believed the incident was a road crash, but upon BERU’s arrival, responders discovered the victim had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Police officers from Sub-Station 1 were immediately dispatched to verify the report and conduct an investigation. Upon arrival at the scene, authorities confirmed the presence of a lifeless body with visible gunshot wounds.

The victim was found wearing gray shorts, a black t-shirt, a helmet, and had a “BSL” tattoo.

A scene of the crime operatives (SOCO) team processed the area and recovered seven fired cartridge cases of an unknown caliber, which were taken for forensic examination.

The suspect and the motive for the killing remain unknown, and authorities are still pursuing leads in the case. The victim’s body is set to undergo an autopsy as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward and assist in identifying the perpetrator.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has declared the coastal waters of Daram Island, Samar, free from toxic red tide, allowing the resumption of shellfish harvesting in the area.

In its latest advisory issued on Thursday, February 6, BFAR confirmed that all types of shellfish and Acetes sp., locally known as “alamang” or “hipon,” from Daram Island are now safe for human consumption.

However, the agency cautioned that several areas in Eastern Visayas remain positive for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) due to red tide toxins exceeding regulatory limits. As a result, the shellfish ban remains in effect in the following areas: the coastal waters of Leyte, Leyte, and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar.

BFAR has strictly prohibited the harvesting, selling, and consumption of all shellfish and “alamang” from these areas, warning that violators of the shellfish ban will face penalties.
Additionally, filtered seawater samples collected from the coastal waters of Calbayog City, Samar, tested positive for Pyrodinium bahamense, a dinoflagellate that produces the red tide toxin saxitoxin.

BFAR urged the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and consuming shellfish and “alamang” from the affected waters to prevent the risk of PSP. Meanwhile, fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs from these areas remain safe to eat, provided they are fresh and properly cleaned by removing internal organs such as intestines and gills before cooking.
BFAR continues to monitor water quality and advises the public to stay updated through official advisories.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) made significant progress in its anti-drug campaign, seizing a total of 1,091.61 grams of illegal drugs worth more than P7.42 million in a series of operations conducted from January 27 to February 2, 2025.

PRO-8 Regional Director B/Gen. Jay Cumigad reported that 18 operations were carried out, resulting in the arrest of 18 individuals and the filing of 31 cases against drug offenders.
The largest seizure was recorded by the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO), which confiscated 1,086.19 grams of shabu during a buy-bust operation on January 29 in Brgy. 25, Magsaysay Boulevard.

The operation, led by the TCPO City Drug Enforcement Unit, led to the arrest of alias “Budoy,” a 37-year-old high-value individual (HVI) from Palompon, Leyte. Authorities also recovered a 9mm pistol with four live rounds of ammunition and buy-bust money.

The suspect is facing charges for violating Sections 5 and 11 of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Comelec Resolution No. 11067 (Election Gun Ban) and is currently detained at the TCPO custodial facility.

Meanwhile, the Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) seized 5.22 grams of shabu in 12 operations, the Samar Police Provincial Office (SPPO) recovered 0.17 grams in two operations, and the Ormoc City Police Office (OCPO) confiscated 0.04 grams in one operation.

In a separate major operation, the SPPO, in collaboration with the Western Samar Provincial Highway Patrol Team (WSPHPT), arrested three suspects and seized 2,940.69 grams of shabu worth P19.99 million on January 27 in Catbalogan City.

Acting on intelligence, authorities intercepted a vehicle along the Maharlika Highway and arrested alias “Don-don,” “Kokoy,” and “Mer” from Libona, Bukidnon. Criminal complaints under RA 9165 were filed on January 30, with additional charges pending.

Cumigad commended the involved police units for their dedication to keeping Eastern Visayas safe.

“This significant seizure underscores our commitment to dismantling criminal networks and mitigating the devastating impact of illegal drugs. I urge the public to remain vigilant and support our efforts by reporting any suspicious drug-related activities,” the police regional director said.

PRO-8 remains steadfast in its anti-drug campaign, leveraging intelligence-driven operations and strengthened community partnerships to combat the illegal drug trade.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City—The Philippine Army (PA) and the Megaworld Corporation formalized the “PA-Megaworld “Pag-Alab” Program Partnership aimed at igniting Filipino nationalism and patriotism, volunteerism, and social responsibility towards a united, resilient, and developed nation, in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing at the Alliance Tower, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, on January 22, 2025.

“The Philippine Army believes that peace and development are two sides of the same coin. We believe that for our nation to thrive, both must go hand in hand. As part of this commitment, we engage with the private sectors such as Megaworld to promote nationalism, unity, and patriotism. We believe your media platforms can significantly contribute to shaping the nation in attaining national resiliency which is good for business and investments,” the Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido said during the MOU signing.

“We look forward to working with Megaworld to inform, educate, and inspire our citizens—working hand in hand to build a better, stronger future for the Philippines,” he added.
Megaworld Corporation President, Ms. Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso who signed the agreement on behalf of the company, thanked the Philippine Army for supporting the company’s environmental and sustainability initiatives. The Megaworld President also lauded the Army’s commitment to assisting their nation-building programs which align with the Army’s dedication not only to national security but also to environmental stewardship and community development.

“We will ensure that the messages and information products of the Philippine Army about love for country and patriotism will become prominent in all of Megaworld’s townships, lifestyle cinemas, LED Walls, and other available platforms,” the Megaworld President, said.
It can be noted that Megaworld currently has 20 lifestyle malls in key urban centers across the country. It also develops large-scale, mixed-use, planned communities incorporating residential, commercial, educational, and leisure components and is the biggest township developer in the country.

Lt. Gen. Galido expressed his gratitude to Megaworld for the opportunity to enter into a collaborative partnership with the Army. Beyond the public affairs program partnership, several partnership opportunities were also tackled such as Army base and estate development, and employment for retiring Army personnel.(PR)