ORMOC CITY — A 55-year-old American national is now in police custody after being arrested on allegations of violating the Anti-Child Abuse Law following a complaint involving three minors brought to a resort in Higatangan Island, Naval in Biliran.

Police identified the suspect, known by the alias “Mike,” a resident of Naval, who was detained after authorities responded to a report that the minors were allegedly taken to the island without the consent of their guardians.

The victims were identified as two 14-year-old girls and a 13-year-old girl, all residents of Biliran province. The complainants include the aunt and mother of two of the minors, who raised concern over their safety after learning they had been brought to a stay-in accommodation.

Based on police reports submitted to PRO-8, the complainants went to the Naval Municipal Police Station on Saturday morning, April 18, prompting authorities to launch an immediate verification and rescue operation.

Personnel from the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), and local government units proceeded to Higatangan Island, where they confirmed the presence of the minors at a resort identified as Ewort’s Home Stay in Barangay Libertad.

Authorities said the establishment owner confirmed that the minors were staying with a foreign national.

The suspect was arrested for alleged violation of Section 10(b) of Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. He is currently detained at the Naval Municipal Police Station pending further investigation and legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the minors have been turned over to the custody of the WCPD for proper care and protection.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY — A 73-year-old man listed as the Rank 4 Most Wanted Person (provincial level) was arrested in a law enforcement operation in Barangay Bagabao, Leyte, Leyte, on Wednesday evening, April 22, 2026.

The suspect, identified as Florencio Gomez, a resident of the same municipality, was apprehended at around 6:10 p.m. by joint operatives of the Philippine National Police through the Leyte Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Unit 8, Provincial Intelligence Unit, 2nd Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–Northern Leyte Provincial Field Unit.

Authorities said the arrest was carried out by virtue of a warrant issued on April 10, 2026, by the Regional Trial Court Branch 13 in Carigara, Leyte, for the crime of qualified rape. The court did not recommend bail.

Police said the operation was based on intelligence monitoring and coordination among various law enforcement units to locate the accused, who had been listed as one of the province’s most wanted individuals.

The suspect is currently under the custody of the Leyte Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and legal proceedings.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) is seeking endorsement from the Regional Development Council–Social Development Committee (RDC-SDC) for its proposed P505.5-million budget for Fiscal Year 2027, aimed at expanding and upgrading its training facilities and programs for Filipino seafarers.

The proposal was presented during the recent RDC-SDC 1st Quarter meeting, where NMP Executive Director Victor Del Rosario outlined key infrastructure projects intended to strengthen the country’s maritime training capabilities.

For 2027, a significant portion of the proposed budget will go to the acquisition of training equipment, construction of a new training building with a roof deck, development of a three-storey maritime resource center, and improvement of road networks within the agency’s 17-hectare training complex.

NMP said the expansion supports its mandate as the country’s state-run maritime training and research institution, noting that it trained 22,972 active and aspiring Filipino seafarers in the previous year, the highest recorded since its establishment.

The proposal follows the agency’s increased budget allocation in 2026, when it received P427 million under the Department of Migrant Workers to fund infrastructure upgrades, including dormitory rehabilitation and the construction of new training facilities such as a training pool.

Once endorsed by the RDC-SDC, the 2027 budget proposal will proceed to the national budgeting process for further evaluation. NMP is also expected to present the proposal before the RDC Full Council meeting later this month.

The agency said the process aligns with the 2027 National Budget Call, which strengthens the role of regional development councils in endorsing priority programs to improve coordination among national government agencies and local government units.

Established in 1978, NMP operates its main training complex in Tacloban City, with a liaison office in Makati City.

(RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)in Eastern Visayas has launched its “permitting on wheels” initiative in Northern Samar, allowing residents and stakeholders to process environmental permits directly in their communities without traveling to regional offices.

The mobile service recently conducted onsite processing of Special Use Agreements in Protected Areas (SAPA) applications in the municipalities of Lavezares and San Jose, as part of efforts to make government services more accessible and efficient.

The initiative aims to streamline permitting procedures by bringing technical personnel and application processing services closer to applicants, reducing delays and logistical challenges often faced by communities in remote areas.

Prior to the onsite processing, DENR conducted an orientation session for applicants and stakeholders led by Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Angelito Villanueva, who discussed SAPA requirements and procedures to ensure smooth processing.

A composite team from various DENR units—including the Regional Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Northern Samar, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Catarman, Environmental Management Bureau, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) of the Biri-Larosa Protected Landscape and Seascape—provided technical assistance and real-time evaluation of applications.

The program supports the agency’s directive to fast-track permit processing while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and improving public access to services.
DENR said the “permitting on wheels” program reflects its commitment to accessible governance and strengthened environmental stewardship by delivering frontline services directly to stakeholders in protected and ecologically sensitive areas.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Motorists traveling along the Maharlika Highway are advised of possible traffic delays following the temporary closure of the inner lanes of Limbuhan Bridge starting April 24, 2026.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 1st District Engineering Office said the move is a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and prevent potential accidents while necessary works are being carried out on the bridge.

During the closure, only the outer lanes will remain open to vehicles traveling between the municipalities of Tolosa and Tanauan. Traffic management measures have been put in place to maintain the flow of vehicles in the area.

Authorities urged motorists to observe caution, follow installed traffic signs, and expect slower travel time while passing through the affected section.

The DPWH also apologized for the inconvenience and appealed for public understanding as safety interventions are implemented.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Government forces have confirmed the identity of a decomposing body recovered in Hinabangan, Samar as that of a suspected communist rebel leader, following DNA analysis conducted by authorities.

In a statement released Wednesday, April 22,the Philippine Army said the remains were identified as Lupito Bucatcat, also known as alias “Hunyo,” who was reportedly a leader of an armed group operating in Eastern Visayas.

The identification was established through DNA testing by the Philippine National Police forensic unit after the remains were recovered by troops of the 63rd Infantry Battalion during clearing operations on March 14 in Barangays Cabalagnan and Tabay, Hinabangan.
Military reports indicated that the body was discovered weeks after an encounter between government forces and members of the New People’s Army in the area.

Authorities said Bucatcat was believed to have been wounded during an earlier clash on February 25 and was left behind when other fighters retreated.

Due to the advanced state of decomposition, officials said DNA testing was necessary to confirm the identity of the remains.

The military said the family of the deceased has already been informed of the results.
Brig. Gen. Pompeyo Jason Almagro, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, noted that the identification highlights the coordination between the military and police in ongoing security operations in Eastern Visayas.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)