TACLOBAN CITY – The Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) has reported a significant decline in focus crimes in the province, with a 48% decrease recorded in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

During the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting led by Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla, LPPO officials presented data showing that the number of focus crimes dropped from 107 cases in the first quarter of 2024 to 56 in the same period this year.

The monitored crimes include theft, rape, murder, homicide, robbery, physical injury, carnapping, and motornapping.

Among the eight focus crimes, physical injury showed the most significant decline, plunging by 79.2%, from 24 cases last year to only five this year.

Other notable decreases include murder – down 56%, from 18 cases to 8; robbery – down 50%, from 14 cases to 7; rape – down 48%, from 23 cases to 12; and theft, down 26.3%, from 19 cases to 14.

Meanwhile, cases of carnapping remained at three, and motornapping stayed at zero. Homicide, however, saw a slight increase, rising from six cases in Q1 2024 to seven this year.

According to the LPPO, the decline in crime rates reflects the positive impact of strategic interventions, including enhanced surveillance, intensified checkpoints, and stronger coordination with judicial authorities.

“The Leyte PPO is committed to sustaining these gains through expanded CCTV coverage, increased crime prevention awareness, deployment of additional security measures, and streamlined case resolution in collaboration with prosecutors,” the LPPO stated.

The provincial police vowed to continue strengthening law enforcement initiatives to maintain peace and order in Leyte.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 8 (Eastern Visayas) is stepping up its support to enhance the economic potential of coastal and marine biodiversity in the region as part of its blue economy initiatives.

Being one of the regions in the Visayas Islands that is heavily reliant on the ocean for sustenance and economic prosperity, the department prioritizes implementing initiatives and programs that focus on fisheries, marine transportation, aquaculture, island communities, and tourism, Marilyn Radam, DOST assistant regional director for technical operations, said in an interview Friday, March 28.

Radam said they have already crafted a proposal, in coordination with Central Visayas, Western Visayas, and Negros Island Region, to strengthen efforts for the blue economy in central Philippines.

Among the DOST-supported projects are the sea ranching projects in Southern Leyte, the maintenance of Samar’s safe water system, and other naturally thriving species, seaweeds, and fishery resources.

She said they are taking action on the decreasing production of seaweeds in the region, following a report on poor production in Bato, Leyte, home of the region’s major seaweed farm.

“Data showed that seaweed production in Leyte has been dwindling. The DOST, in coordination with BFAR, deployed national scientists for us to be provided with necessary actions,” she said.

In addition, the DOST identified other economically significant species of fishery resources found in the Visayan Sea and is also looking into other priority commodities in the region where technology could be applied to improve production, she added.

Last year, the DOST allocated P2 million for a shipyard in Albuera, Leyte, converting ship waste to something “usable.” It is expected to be operational by the end of this year or next year.

The DOST initiatives under the Blue Economy Program are coordinated with the local government units, state universities and colleges research offices, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development.

Its blue economy program focuses on the sustainable management and use of natural and other resources in the maritime sector for economic growth and improved livelihoods.

(With reports from Christian Dave Noseñas, OJT/PNA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Candidates across Eastern Visayas officially launched their local campaigns on Friday, March 28, starting with Holy Masses before engaging in house-to-house visits, motorcades, and proclamation rallies.

In Tacloban City, reelectionist Mayor Alfred Romualdez and his slate began their campaign with a motorcade from Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport, passing through the downtown area and heading toward the northern part of the city.

Ferdinand Martin “Marty” Romualdez Jr., son of House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, went on a house-to-house campaign, personally introducing himself to voters. He is vying for a seat in the city council, while his brother, Andrew Julian Romualdez, is the first nominee of the Tingog party-list. This marks the first electoral run for both siblings.

Meanwhile, Speaker Romualdez held a meeting with mayors from Leyte’s 1st District, including Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla, mother of Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla.
The younger Petilla, a former political rival of the Romualdezes, is seeking a second term as governor unopposed.

In Southern Leyte, Governor Damian Mercado and his brother, Roger Mercado, who is running for congressman, also attended a Mass before launching their campaign.
In Samar, reelectionist Governor Sharee Ann Tan joined the proclamation rally of Calbayog City Mayor Raymund Uy and his slate.

Borongan City, Eastern Samar, also saw a major campaign kickoff as reelectionist Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda and his team held their proclamation rally.

Some other key candidates in the region opted for a low-key start to their campaigns, either planning rallies over the weekend or maintaining a minimal campaign presence due to a lack of strong opponents.

The first day of the campaign period was also marked by “Operation Baklas,” an initiative led by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to remove campaign materials placed outside designated areas.

Comelec-8 legal officer Atty. Ma. Krishna Athena Elardo warned candidates that violations could lead to disqualification.

“Of course, due process will be observed,” she assured.

(JOEY A. GABIETA, ROEL T.AMAZONA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY-A barangay chairman is currently recuperating in a hospital after surviving a shooting incident on Sunday morning, March 23, at Purok 2, Barangay Sinidman Occidental, Oquendo District, Calbayog City.

Authorities identified the victim as alias “Rom,” 50, married, and the incumbent chairman of Brgy. Sinidman Occidental.

The suspect, identified as alias “Rene,” 50, unemployed, and a resident of Purok 1, Barangay Sinidman Occidental, was reportedly accompanied by an unidentified male during the attack.

According to the Calbayog City Police Station (CPS), they received information from PEMS Erwin Beso, Oquendo PCP Commander, regarding the shooting incident at around 11:30 am.

The victim had already been rushed to St. Camillus Hospital when police arrived to verify the report and conduct an investigation.

Authorities disclosed that the motive behind the attack was a personal grudge. Fortunately, the barangay chairman was in stable condition during the police interview at the hospital.
Meanwhile, Calbayog police launched a hot pursuit operation to track down the suspect, and charges of frustrated murder are being prepared against him.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– A 39-year-old woman was arrested for engaging in illegal ‘swertres’ operations during an anti-illegal gambling operation conducted by the San Roque Municipal Police Station (MPS) and the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Northern Samar Provincial Police Office on Friday, March 21, at around 6:30 pm in Purok 10, Barangay Bantayan, San Roque in Northern Samar.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Elsie,” a housewife and resident of Brgy. Bantayan.
Authorities seized the following items from the suspect’s possession: P1,471 in cash of various denominations, believed to be proceeds from the illegal numbers game; one small green pouch; one black ballpen; six betting sheets; 10 stub lotto result sheets dated March 20, 2025; and two stub lotto result sheets dated March 17, 2025.

The suspect, together with the confiscated evidence, was taken to the San Roque Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and legal proceedings.

(ROBERT DEJON)