ORMOC CITY — A contractor’s wife who was previously arrested for illegal drugs and later released on bail has been re-arrested after police caught her in another buy-bust operation in this city late Friday night(Dec.19), underscoring authorities’ intensified campaign against repeat drug offenders.

Operatives of the Police Regional Office-8 Regional Drug Enforcement Unit arrested the suspect, identified as alias “Lea,” 48, unemployed and a resident of Barangay Salvacion, at about 11:56 p.m. on December 19 during an operation conducted in the same barangay.
Police said the suspect had earlier been arrested in 2024 together with her husband, a contractor, in a buy-bust operation. She was temporarily freed after posting bail while her drug case remains pending.

Seized from her possession was one large sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, which was sold to an undercover operative for P65,000.

A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, yielded a black shoulder bag containing 23 more large sachets of the same suspected illegal drug.
Also recovered were P65,000 in buy-bust money as well as a portable digital weighing scale, a silver-colored Infinix Android cellular phone, two pairs of scissors, a brown Coach card holder, three identification cards (two National IDs and one driver’s license), two ATM cards, P900 in cash, and other personal belongings.

Police estimated the total weight of the confiscated suspected shabu at approximately 1,082 grams, with a Dangerous Drugs Board value of P7,357,600.

The suspect was informed of the nature of her arrest and was apprised of her constitutional rights in a language she understood.

Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect is currently detained at the custodial facility of Police Station 4 in Barangay Linao, Ormoc City.

(ROBERT DEJON, ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

ORMOC CITY— A 65-year-old man with a chronic illness was found lifeless inside his home in Sitio Daan Gacat, Brgy. Gacat in Baybay City on December 24, authorities said.

The victim, identified as “Rodrigo,” married and unemployed, was discovered at around 6:50 p.m. after a neighbor noticed he did not respond despite lights being on inside the house. Witnesses borrowed a ladder to peep through a window and saw him lying on the floor, unresponsive.

Emergency responders from the Baybay Emergency Response Unit (BERU) arrived, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. Police noted the house’s doorknob was damaged, prompting entry for verification.

According to the victim’s sister, Rodrigo had been suffering from diabetes and reported difficulty breathing about a week prior. She also mentioned his habitual smoking and coffee drinking and said she believed his death was likely due to natural causes.

The Leyte Provincial Forensic Unit processed the scene and found no external injuries on the body. The cadaver was later transported to a local funeral parlor for proper disposition.
Authorities confirmed that no foul play is suspected in the incident.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– A house made of light materials was completely destroyed by fire on December 26, around noon, in Brgy. Herrera, Calubian, Leyte, authorities reported.
The house belonged to “Micah,” 16, who lives with her partner. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.

Police said the Calubian Fire Station and local authorities responded after a report from Brgy. Gutosan about the fire. Upon arrival, responders saw the house engulfed in flames.
Initial investigations revealed that the fire started in the cooking area at the back of the house. The owner told police that she and her child had gone to sleep after cooking around 11:00 a.m., and only noticed the fire hours later. She managed to evacuate with her child and some belongings before neighbors assisted in calling for help.

Due to the house being made of light materials, the fire spread quickly. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Calubian controlled the fire at 12:40 p.m. and declared it fully extinguished at 12:55 p.m.

The estimated property damage is around P50,000, but no injuries were reported. The origin of the fire remains under investigation.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– The skeletal remains of an 89-year-old farmer reported missing weeks ago were discovered by his grandson on December 23 in Sitio Kankisi, Brgy. Guinmaayohan, Balangiga, Eastern Samar authorities said.

The victim, identified as “Matthew,” had been missing for about a week. His grandson, “Carlo,” reported the discovery to the Balangiga Police Station, prompting coordination with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) to verify the remains.

Police said the identification was based on the victim’s clothing and personal belongings found at the site. Family members believe the death was likely natural, citing Matthew’s advanced age and history of hypertension.

The remains were subsequently transported to the Balangiga Public Cemetery, escorted by Balangiga MPS personnel, for proper interment.
Authorities confirmed there are no signs of foul play.

(ROBERT DEJON)