TACLOBAN CITY—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the region has reported positive progress in its ongoing ‘Operation Baklas.’

Lawyer Ma. Corazon Montallana, Comelec assistant regional director, noted that the initiative to remove illegal campaign materials has been proceeding smoothly, with candidates showing greater compliance.

“There aren’t many campaign materials left to remove. Based on our inventory, the number has significantly decreased. This means that candidates are gradually becoming more compliant with election laws,” Montallana said in an interview on Wednesday, April 2.
She also expressed satisfaction with the level of adherence in Tacloban City, in particular, which has seen fewer violations compared to other areas.

“That’s something I appreciate about Tacloban. Our candidates here are generally more compliant, unlike in other areas where campaign materials are placed indiscriminately,” she said.

‘Operation Baklas’ is a collaborative effort involving the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), local government units (LGUs), and in some areas, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The initiative began on February 11 for national candidates and March 28 for local candidates, aiming to ensure a fair election process by enforcing regulations on campaign materials.

(JOHN LORENZ S. LESIGUEZ, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Doña Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Educational Foundation Inc. (DRTREFI) College of Medical Technology, this city, has secured the 5th spot among the top-performing schools in the March 2025 Medical Technologists Licensure Examination (MTLE), according to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)on Thursday, April 3.
DRTREFI demonstrated its academic strength with a 100% passing rate among its 57 first-time takers and an overall passing rate of 98.36%, further cementing its reputation as one of the country’s premier institutions for medical technology education.

The remarkable performance was attributed to Batch ‘Coronaviridae’, whose success reflects the school’s robust curriculum and the dedication of its faculty and students, as shared in a post on the school’s official social media page.

The MTLE results serve as a critical benchmark for evaluating the country’s ability to produce competent and well-trained medical technologists—key contributors to the healthcare system.

DRTREFI’s impressive outcome underscores its ongoing commitment to health education excellence and its mission to equip future medical professionals for meaningful careers in healthcare.

Aside from Tacloban City, the licensure examination was held on March 26–27, 2025, in various testing centers across the country, including the National Capital Region (NCR), Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Pampanga, Rosales, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga.

(PRINCESS MANZANARES, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

ORMOC CITY-Two individuals were injured and brought to the Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval town, Biliran following a three-vehicle collision involving two motorcycles and an SUV on Wednesday night, April 2, along Caneja Street in Barangay P.I. Garcia, Almeria, Biliran.

Authorities identified the injured as alias “Alan”, 38, a resident of Barangay Bulalacao, Kawayan, also in Biliran, who was driving a black Rusi Macho TC150 motorcycle; and alias “Lenny”, 50, a housewife from Barangay San Pablo, who was riding as a back passenger on a gray Honda 125 driven by alias “Renz”, 24, a student and also a resident of the same barangay.

The third vehicle involved was a white Ford Ranger Wildtrak, driven by alias “Oscar”, 30, a resident of Barangay Matango, Almeria, Biliran.

According to the police investigation, the two motorcycles were traveling in the same direction, while the SUV was coming from the opposite direction. Upon reaching the area, the SUV attempted to overtake another vehicle but accidentally struck the black Rusi motorcycle. The Honda motorcycle avoided a direct collision, but its back rider was hit in the leg during the incident.

Both the injured driver and back rider were immediately taken to the Biliran Provincial Hospital for medical treatment.

Police reported that all parties involved have agreed to amicably settle the matter.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY-Authorities arrested a high-value drug personality during a buy-bust operation conducted by the local police’s Station Drug Enforcement Team at around 10:44 pm on Wednesday, April 2, in Barangay District 3, Poblacion, La Paz, Leyte.

The suspect, identified only by the alias “Amir,” 41, married, a driver, and a resident of Barangay Calipayan, Dulag, Leyte, is listed as the No. 5 drug personality on the Philippine National Police’s Regional Priority Target List (RPTL).

Police operatives recovered six sachets containing white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu and one sachet containing dried marijuana leaves. One of the sachets of suspected shabu was sold to an undercover officer for P500 during the sting operation.

A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, led to the discovery of four more sachets of suspected shabu hidden inside a red Winston cigarette pack, as well as a large zip-lock bag containing dried marijuana leaves.

Also seized were the P500 marked money used in the operation, an additional P50 in cash, and a motorcycle used by the suspect.

The suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights through the Miranda Doctrine in a language he fully understood.

Charges for violations of Sections 5 (sale of illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against him. He is currently detained at the La Paz Municipal Police Station.

(ROBERT DEJON)