TACLOBAN CITY– Two inmates who escaped from a sub-provincial jail in Calubian, Leyte on Thursday, October 31, were apprehended early Friday morning, November 1, after a swift manhunt operation led by local authorities.

Under the direction of Captain Alexander Alfonso, acting chief of Calubian Municipal Police Station, authorities pursued Arnold Haliclic, 44, and Reggie Pepito, 32, after they escaped at about 3:20 p.m. on Thursday.

The escapees, both charged with illegal drug offenses and illegal possession of firearms, reportedly fled by scaling an unfinished concrete wall and boarding a motorcycle.

The search effort was a coordinated operation involving Calubian police, the 2nd Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Provincial Intelligence Unit, and Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail personnel. Community force multipliers also supported the mission.

Acting on a tip, the search team converged on a mangrove forest in Barangay Cabalquinto, where the men were believed to be hiding.

Surrounding the area, authorities blocked all escape routes, forcing the men to surrender around 4 a.m. Friday.

Haliclic, a resident of Brgy. Cabalquinto, Calubian, and Pepito, from Brgy.Suba, Villaba, Leyte, were taken into custody without incident.

Captain Alfonso credited the combined efforts of police, military units, and the community’s vigilance for the successful apprehension.

“The collective efforts of the police and other units, along with the active support of force multipliers and the community, were key factors in the surrender of the two escapees,” he said in a statement. (ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has brought its “Piso Caravan” to this city to replace unfit and mutilated bank notes and coins.

The three-day caravan held at the Robinsons Place Tacloban urges the public to conveniently replace their unfit currency with fresh banknotes and coins.

Unfit banknotes are paper money that is soiled, limp, stained, or has faded print, obvious writings, or markings. Unfit coins, on the other hand, are those with corrosion or markings, according to Erma Lagarto, BSP-Cebu senior bank officer.

Classified as mutilated banknotes are those with adhesive and staple wires; charred or decayed; with tear, hole, or missing part; and splitting of substrate.

“The goal of BSP Piso Caravan is to ensure that people’s money is safe and clean. This caravan is a convenient way to do that,” Lagarto added.

Under Republic Act No. 7653, the BSP will retire or destroy all banknotes and coins found to be unfit, mutilated, or demonetized, including seized counterfeits.

This will ensure that only fit and legal tender banknotes and coins are circulated and used to purchase goods and services.

The BSP has continuously warned the public that the illegal defacement, mutilation, burning, or destruction of coins may be subject to imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of P20,000.

The BSP caravan is part of the 14th Leyte Consumer Information and Market Exhibition and brings together consumers, businesses, and agencies to highlight the importance of consumer rights and responsibilities in today’s marketplace.

This year’s theme is “Be Smart, Assert Your Consumer Rights!” (PNA)

MARIPIPI, Biliran – A total of 29 homestay operators from Biliran province received homestay kits from the Department of Tourism (DOT) to support their accommodations for tourists.

Of the recipients, 18 are from Higatangan Island in Naval town, and 11 are from the island municipality of Maripipi. All underwent a seven-day homestay training provided by DOT-8 in March.

The homestay kits include towels, linens, pillows, and blankets for use in the rooms they offer to tourists.

Among the recipients were Riza Nengasca and Florida Enero from Higatangan Island and Judith Gaviola from Maripipi. All expressed gratitude for the assistance, which will help enhance the comfort and quality of their services.

“This is such a great help for us in the homestay business,” said Enero, who is new to the field. She added that the training provided by DOT-8 has helped her ensure her accommodations are presentable and meet quality standards.

Gaviola shared that the new linens would be used right away, as her current set was due for replacement. Offering three rooms in her Maripipi residence, Gaviola has been in the homestay business since retiring from government service in 2016, which has provided her with an additional income.

Nengasca expressed her appreciation to the DOT, the Naval local government unit, and the Biliran provincial tourism office for encouraging them to engage in the homestay business to meet the area’s accommodation demand.

“This opportunity will help us not only meet new people but also provide income to support our families,” Nengasca said.

Higatangan and Maripipi are emerging tourist destinations in the region, recently added to the list of cruise destinations in Eastern Visayas.

Higatangan is renowned for its shifting sandbar, while Maripipi is known for Sambawan Island.

While there are existing accommodation facilities, the current capacity is insufficient to handle the influx of visitors.

The homestay program helps bridge this gap by offering authentic, cultural experiences for guests, immersing them in the local way of life.

(ROEL T.AMAZONA)