ORMOC CITY—Three individuals were arrested after authorities discovered at least three kilos of suspected shabu in their possession during a checkpoint operation along Maharlika Highway in Barangay New Mahayag, Catbalogan City, on January 27.

The suspects, currently detained at the Catbalogan City Police Station, were identified as alias “Don-Don,” 42, a driver; alias “Kokoy,” 48, self-employed; and alias “Mer,” 40, a construction worker—all residents of Barangay Crossing, Libona, Bukidnon.

According to a report submitted to Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), the operation was conducted by the Western Samar Provincial Highway Patrol Team in coordination with the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), Catbalogan City Police Station (CPS), Samar Police Explosives and Canine Unit (PECU), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) K9 Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 8.

Authorities acted on intelligence information that a gray Mazda pick-up, bearing an improvised plate number, was traveling from Manila via the Matnog-Allen port en route to Bukidnon.

When the vehicle reached the designated checkpoint, officers from the Highway Patrol Group flagged it down for using an improvised plate number and instructed the driver to roll down the window.

At that moment, one of the backseat passengers exhibited suspicious behavior—clutching a sachet of suspected shabu in his right hand while trying to hide it inside a black eco bag.
Sensing the possibility of illegal contraband, officers ordered the passengers to step out of the vehicle for inspection.

The search led to the discovery of the following items: seven plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu; three yellow plastic bags containing suspected shabu; one gray Mazda pick-up; one digital weighing scale; one improvised glass pipe with suspected shabu residue; and one roll of aluminum foil.

The suspects declined to give statements to the media but claimed they were merely asked by a friend to deliver the vehicle to Bukidnon.

Authorities have already filed charges against the suspects for violating Section 5 of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes the sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, and transportation of illegal drugs.

The suspects remain in police custody at the Catbalogan City Police Station.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – A total of 27 former rebels from Eastern Samar have submitted their applications for the government’s amnesty program.

The submissions were made during an orientation held at the 78th Infantry Battalion camp in Borongan City, where the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Catbalogan City provided detailed information about the program, its application process, and the benefits available to those who qualify.

The amnesty program is open to former rebels facing charges such as rebellion or insurrection, conspiracy to commit rebellion, illegal possession of firearms, and other related offenses.

However, crimes that are not eligible for amnesty include kidnapping for ransom, rape, massacre, crimes against chastity, violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, grave violations of the Geneva Convention, and other offenses that are internationally prohibited from being amnestied.

Among those who participated in the orientation was Jazzmine Odyssa B. Lutao, peace program officer III from the National Amnesty Commission. She was joined by Imelda Bonifacio, head of the Amnesty Management Unit at the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Peace Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), along with other officials from the Eastern Visayas Special Project Team (SPT).

Also present were Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office (ESPPO) Provincial Director Police Colonel Ernesto R. Macasil, PTF-ELCAC Focal Person Engr. Joselito Mutia from the Provincial Government of Eastern Samar, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Officer-in-Charge Lina Dulfo, and DILG-Eastern Samar Cluster Head Jerry Enriquez.

These officials expressed their continued support for the former rebels as they reintegrate into mainstream society.

As of now, the three Samar provinces have approximately 200 former rebels who have applied for the amnesty program.

They are being assisted by various infantry battalions assigned to the island, including those from the 87th IB (23 applicants), 46th IB (21), 3rd IB (6), 52nd IB (22), 19th IB (38), and 43rd IB (62).

The amnesty program is part of Executive Order No. 47, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in November 2023.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY—A known henchman of a criminal group and his cohort were killed in a buy-bust operation that escalated into a shootout on January 25, in Barangay Bagacay, Calbayog City.

Police identified the slain suspects as alias “Mar,” a close associate of alias “Edar,” a member of the Wahingon Criminal Gang who was neutralized in a police operation on January 11, 2025, and alias “Dren,” single.

Both were classified as high-value individuals (HVIs) in the Philippine National Police’s drug watchlist and were residents of Barangay Hamorawon, Calbayog City.

The operation was conducted by a joint team from the Samar Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), Calbayog City Drug Enforcement Team, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Samar.

According to police, the buy-bust operation took a violent turn when the suspects, realizing they were transacting with an undercover operative, opened fire on the authorities.

Law enforcers retaliated, resulting in both suspects sustaining gunshot wounds. They were immediately rushed to Calbayog District Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival at 9:15 am by the attending physician.

Recovered from the suspects were eight plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu; and several boodle money bills.

The actual weight of the seized drugs is yet to be determined by the Regional Forensic Unit 8 (RFU-8).

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Northern Samar has facilitated an agreement with a private firm to establish an ice plant facility and a tuna buying station in the province, aiming to boost the local fishing industry and support fisherfolk.

The agreement was signed between SeaTrace International Inc. chief operations officer Christian Schmidradner and Laoang Mayor Hector Ong.

Witnessing the signing were OIC provincial agriculture Officer Jose Luis Acompañado, former Laoang mayor Madeline Ong, and key officials from the provincial government of Northern Samar.

“Mahalaga ang suporta ng gobyerno sa mga nagnenegosyo (investors), so together we can do this and make it strong,” Schmidradner emphasized, highlighting the importance of government support in fostering business growth.

The agreement includes a lease contract covering 10 commercial stalls and a hotel unit, which will serve as a warehouse for the ice plant, supporting the tuna buying station in Rawis, Laoang.

To ensure smooth project implementation, the signing was preceded by a dialogue among the provincial government, SeaTrace International, LGU Laoang, and local fisherfolk, ensuring all stakeholders were aligned with the project’s objectives and benefits.

As of January 29, 2025, SeaTrace International has already shipped its block ice-maker machines to its newly established ice plant, preparing for full-scale operations.

Beyond infrastructure development, the company is also set to launch livelihood programs for local communities, including skills training for fisherfolk in proper seafood handling, to help maintain high-quality standards in the tuna supply chain.

Prior to formalizing the agreement, Schmidradner visited Pacific coastal towns of Palapag, Mapanas, Gamay, and Laoang last year to explore potential investment opportunities in Northern Samar.

SeaTrace International Inc. is a leading seafood exporter in the Philippines, supplying seafood products to the United States, European Union, and the United Arab Emirates.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)