ORMOC CITY — Authorities arrested a high-value drug suspect in Barangay Poblacion, Kananga, Leyte on January 30, ending his status as a Regional Most Wanted Person.

The suspect, alias “Boss G,” 49, unemployed, is wanted for violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. He is listed under COPLAN GUNDAM as a High-Value Individual (HVI).

The arrest was carried out peacefully at 3:32 PM by the PNP Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit 8 (PNP DEG SOU 8) in coordination with local and regional law enforcement agencies. The suspect was informed of his constitutional rights and brought to the PNP DEG SOU 8 Office for proper documentation and disposition.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

ORMOC CITY-Four grocery employees are facing qualified theft charges after being caught on CCTV conspiring to steal items worth around P40,000 from a local store in Brgy. San Isidro, Biliran, Biliran on February 2.

The complainant, 44-year-old businesswoman alias “Lovely,” discovered discrepancies between her inventory and actual sales, prompting a review of CCTV footage. The recordings showed cashiers alias “May,” 19, and alias “Jess,” 18, removing items without scanning them. Two others, alias “Roy,” 22, and alias “Nic,” 18, assisted as driver and lookout, police said.

Biliran police are preparing documents to formally file the charges against the suspects.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– A 46-year-old contractual worker was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Sto. Niño, Isabel, Leyte on Friday noon, with police recovering more than a gram of suspected shabu.

The suspect, identified as alias “Marvs,” had one sachet of the illegal substance purchased by an undercover operative for P500, along with six additional sachets hidden in a cigarette pack. The total estimated quantity of shabu was 1.349 grams, with a street value of around P9,173, police said.

“Marvs” was informed of his rights and is now facing charges under the Comprehensive Law Against Illegal Drugs (RA 9165) at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Ormoc City. He is temporarily detained at the Isabel Municipal Police Station.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY — A 22-year-old mechanic, listed as Rank No. 8 on the regional most wanted persons list, was arrested by local police on Thursday afternoon, February 5, in Brgy. Palanay, Caibiran, Biliran.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Aimil,” a married resident of Vista Del Mar, Brgy. Cabibihan of said town.

He was apprehended under a warrant of arrest issued on February 3, 2026, by RTC Branch 37 Presiding Judge Constantino Esber for statutory rape under RA 8353, as amended by RA 11648 (Art. 266-A (2) of the Revised Penal Code).

The court recommended no bail.

The suspect was informed of the charges and his constitutional rights in a language he understood. He was brought to the Caibiran Municipal Police Station for booking before being turned over to the court that issued the warrant.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— Police arrested a businessman and seized dozens of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) canisters during an operation against illegal LPG trading in Barangay Asuncion, Maasin City on Thursday, February 5.

The suspect was identified by Maasin City Police Station (CPS) chief Lt. Col. Jason Balbarona as alias “Jay,” 56, a married businessman and resident of Purok Sunkist, Barangay Asuncion.

The arrest stemmed from an operation conducted at around 11:45 a.m. by joint elements of the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Southern Leyte Provincial Police Office, the 1st Southern Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Maasin CPS, together with an authorized representative of an LPG company.

Police confiscated 86 filled LPG canisters and four empty canisters, with an estimated total value of P9,000. Authorities said the suspect was engaged in the unauthorized selling of LPG.

The act constitutes a violation of Republic Act No. 11592, or the LPG Industry Regulation Act, which regulates the importation, refilling, storage, transport, distribution, and sale of LPG to ensure public safety and consumer protection.

The suspect and the seized items were taken to the Maasin CPS for proper documentation and disposition.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— A joint anti-smuggling operation led by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) resulted in the arrest of a couple and the seizure of thousands of pesos worth of unstamped cigarettes in Barangay Asuncion, Maasin City on Thursday, February 5.

Recovered during the operation were several reams and packs of illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of P56,000. Authorities said the cigarettes bore no BIR tax stamps, and the suspects failed to present permits or authority to sell the products.

The suspects were identified by police as alias “Joseph,” 56, a businessman, and alias “Shirly,” 56, a half-Taiwanese national. Both are residents of Purok Sunkist, Barangay Asuncion, Maasin City.

The operation was conducted from around 11:50 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. by joint personnel from BIR Region VIII, the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Southern Leyte Provincial Police Office, the Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Maasin City Police Station.

Confiscated items included various brands of cigarettes such as Fort, Millano, Modern, Onion, Red, RGD, M1, New Orleans, Napoli, Commando, Double Happiness, Mighty, Walter, and other assorted brands.

All seized cigarettes are now under the custody of the BIR Region VIII for proper disposition.

Authorities said criminal charges are being prepared against the suspects for violation of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, in relation to the illegal sale and distribution of illicit cigarettes.

(ROBERT DEJON)