ORMOC CITY— Authorities are investigating the death of an unidentified man whose body was discovered floating in the Calbiga River in Calbiga town, Samar near the public market in Barangay 5 Poblacion on Friday afternoon, February 13, 2026.

Local police reported that the body, estimated to be between 50 and 60 years old, was wearing a brown T-shirt with the brand “Mr. Lee” on the chest and black pants. The discovery was first reported around 1:40 p.m. by a concerned citizen who saw the cadaver floating near the riverbank.

Responding immediately, personnel from the Calbiga Municipal Police Station coordinated with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) to conduct retrieval operations. The body was then transported to the Calbiga Rural Health Unit for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause and manner of death.

Police authorities said the investigation is ongoing, and they are appealing to the public for any information that may help identify the victim and clarify the circumstances surrounding his death.

The incident underscores the need for heightened vigilance along the municipality’s waterways, particularly in areas near the market and other populated zones, as police continue to ensure public safety and conduct follow-up inquiries.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — After more than two years of sustained peacekeeping and community engagement, six barangays in Northern Samar have been declared cleared under the Revitalized Pulis Sa Barangay (R-PSB) program, prompting the pullout of 111 police personnel from their assignments.

The personnel, deployed by the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), were relieved from Barangays Cabari-an, Canjumadal, Giparayan, Manahaw, and San Ramon in Pambujan town, as well as Barangay Naparasan in Palapag, after completing their missions.
The R-PSB program forms part of the government’s intensified campaign against insurgency and criminality, in line with Executive Order No. 70, which institutionalizes the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict.

Northern Samar has long been considered among the provinces in Eastern Visayas affected by insurgency, prompting sustained security and development interventions in remote barangays.

While 111 personnel were withdrawn, 102 new R-PSB personnel were deployed to two barangays in Victoria and one barangay each in Laoang, Pambujan, Gamay, and Mapanas to continue peace and development efforts in other priority areas.

Turnover ceremonies were attended by local officials, including Pambujan Mayor Owen Lamberto Siervo and Sangguniang Bayan Member Luckie Longcop, who represented Mapanas Mayor Ronn Michael Tejano.

The officials welcomed the incoming R-PSB teams assigned to Barangay Cababtoan in Pambujan and Barangay Manaybanay in Mapanas.

The R-PSB initiative not only focuses on security operations but also strengthens partnerships with barangay officials and residents. Personnel assist in implementing the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP), which channels government services and infrastructure projects to previously conflict-affected communities.

Northern Samar Police Provincial Office Acting Provincial Director George Buyacao Jr. expressed gratitude to local government units for their continued backing of the program.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Sumpo, chief of the Regional Community Affairs and Development Division and representative of PRO-8 Regional Director Jayson L. Capoy, awarded the outgoing personnel with the Medalya ng Ugnayang Pampulisya (PNP Relations Medal) in recognition of their service. She urged newly deployed teams to uphold professionalism and dedication in their assignments.

803rd Infantry Brigade Commander Carmelito Pangatungan reminded incoming personnel that their role goes beyond law enforcement, stressing the importance of mediation, facilitating access to social services, and strengthening barangay institutions.
For her part, DILG Provincial Director Geraldine C. Maquelabit challenged the new teams to sustain and build on the gains achieved, underscoring the need for close collaboration to secure lasting peace in Northern Samar.

The Sangguniang Bayan of the concerned municipalities also passed resolutions commending the outgoing R-PSB teams for their contributions to maintaining peace and order in their respective communities.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

KANANGA, Leyte— A high-value drug personality eluded arrest during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Poblacion, Kananga, Leyte, early Wednesday morning, February 11, while two of his cohorts, including a local barangay official, were apprehended, authorities reported.

Police identified the fleeing suspect as alias “MIL,” 44, unemployed, married, and a resident of Brgy. Poblacion. The arrested cohorts were alias “Rex,” 22, unemployed, single, from Brgy. Lonoy, and alias “Nelson,” 49, a Sangguniang Barangay Member of Brgy. Tongonan, Kananga.

The operation, led by the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) together with the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of Kananga MPS, resulted in the seizure of approximately 24 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P163,200.

Authorities recovered from alias “Rex” one sachet of suspected shabu purchased by an operative for P5,000, two larger sachets of suspected shabu, and one .9mm caliber automatic firearm loaded with three live rounds. Buy-bust money totaling P5,000, including a court-subscribed bill, was also recovered. From alias “Nelson,” police seized three sachets of suspected shabu.

Police confirmed that both arrested suspects were informed of the nature of their arrest and advised of their constitutional rights in a language they understood.

Charges of violating RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law Against Illegal Drugs of 2002, have been filed with the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Ormoc City.

Alias “Rex” also faces a separate charge for violation of RA 10591, the law governing illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives. Both suspects are temporarily detained at the Kananga MPS lockup pending court proceedings.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY — A father and his son were injured after the car they were riding overturned and crashed into an electric post along the national highway in MacArthur, Leyte on Saturday afternoon, February 9.

The accident happened around 2 p.m. in Barangay Tuyo, MacArthur. Police said the vehicle involved was a gray Suzuki Swift driven by the son, who was accompanied by his father and another passenger.

In a report to the Police Regional Office 8, the MacArthur Municipal Police Station said a concerned citizen reported the incident at the police station, prompting officers to immediately respond to the scene.

Initial investigation showed that the vehicle was traveling from MacArthur toward Mayorga when it reportedly skidded upon reaching Barangay Tuyo, overturned, and slammed into an electric post. The impact left the driver and his passenger with bruises and other injuries, while the vehicle sustained damage.

Responding rescue personnel administered first aid before the victims were transported by the MacArthur Rural Health Unit ambulance to the Eastern Visayas Medical Center in Tacloban City for further medical treatment.

The damaged vehicle was later towed to the MacArthur Municipal Police Station for proper disposition and further investigation.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– Authorities captured the No. 10 most wanted person in Biliran province during a coordinated operation in Quezon City on Saturday afternoon, February 14, 2026.
The suspect, identified as 38-year-old alias “Vic Jr.,” a security guard and resident of GK Housing Site, Barangay Burabod, Biliran, was arrested in Barangay Doña Josefa, Quezon City, at around 4:40 p.m. by personnel from the Biliran Provincial Mobile Force Company, the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Biliran Provincial Police Office, and local police in coordination with Police Station 11 (Galas), Quezon City Police District.

Vic Jr. is wanted under a warrant of arrest dated June 20, 2025, issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 16, Naval, Biliran, presided over by Judge Luz Petilla Navarrete. He faces charges of qualified rape of a minor with no bail recommended.

Police confirmed that the suspect was informed of the reason for his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he understood. He was initially brought to the Quezon City Police District, Galas Police Station (PS-11) for booking and processing, before being transported back to Biliran to face the court that issued the warrant.

Authorities highlighted the arrest as part of ongoing efforts to apprehend fugitives and ensure accountability for serious crimes in the province.

(ROBERT DEJON)