TACLOBAN CITY – About 45 jobseekers immediately secured employment during the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 8’s 92nd anniversary job fair on December 5, 2025 at Robinsons North Tacloban, highlighting the strong demand for skilled workers in Eastern Visayas despite work suspensions due to tropical depression “Wilma.”
The one-day event drew 574 applicants from across the region, with positions filled on the spot including online teachers, cashiers, customer assistants, sales associates, baggers, customer service representatives, administrative officers, and clerks.

A total of 38 local employers participated, collectively offering nearly 1,000 job vacancies across various sectors.

Of the registered jobseekers, 489 were assessed as qualified, while 57 were considered near hires, pending documentary requirements or additional interviews.

DOLE Regional Director Dax Villaruel extended his appreciation to the employer-partners and government agencies that provided frontline services during the event.

These included the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Pag-IBIG Fund, PhilHealth, SSS, and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

Villaruel emphasized that the strong turnout and positive hiring results demonstrate the continued collaboration between DOLE, private employers, and government service partners to connect Eastern Visayan jobseekers with meaningful employment opportunities, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to supporting the region’s workforce.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

ORMOC CITY — Police operatives from Station 3 arrested a 56-year-old woman on December 2, in Barangay Liloan after serving a warrant issued for qualified theft.

Police Station 3 chief Police Major Omar Roel Cartalla identified the accused as alias “Beth,” married, and a resident of St. Mary’s Heights, Bag-ong Daan, Yati, Lilo-an, Cebu.

The warrant for her arrest, dated September 24, 2025, was issued by Executive Judge Thea Gicela Casas Nueva-Zamora of the Regional Trial Court Branch 18 in Hilongos, Leyte, in connection with Criminal Case No. H-4095 for qualified theft. The court set bail at P90,000 for her temporary liberty.

Police said the suspect was informed of the nature of her arrest and her constitutional rights in a language she understood.

Following her apprehension, the accused was brought to Ormoc City Police Station 3 for booking and documentation before being turned over to the issuing court for proper disposition.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– A man recently placed under police monitoring for alleged drug activities was arrested in a buy-bust operation that yielded three sachets of suspected shabu on Saturday morning, December 6, in Sitio Tabuc Suba, Brgy. Poblacion, Tabango in Leyte.
Police identified the suspect as alias “Jude,” 39, married, unemployed, and a resident of the same barangay.

During the operation, an operative of the Station Drug Enforcement Team purchased a sachet of suspected shabu worth P500 from the suspect.

A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of mandatory witnesses, led to the discovery of plastic canister containing two additional sachets of suspected shabu. Authorities also recovered the marked P500 bill used in the operation.

The suspect was apprised of the reason for his arrest and informed of his constitutional rights in a language he clearly understood.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect is currently detained at the Tabango Municipal Police Station’s locked-up facility.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY —San Vicente Elementary School in Malitbog, Southern Leyte was targeted by a thief on December 8, 2025, resulting in the loss of two office printers and P100 in cash, police reported. The incident occurred around 12:40 p.m., prompting an immediate investigation by local authorities.

According to the school head, alias “Charls,” 55, the suspect forcibly cut the steel grill of the back window of the Principal’s Office to gain entry. Once inside, the intruder took two printers and a small amount of cash before fleeing the scene.

Police responding from Malitbog Municipal Police Station noted that the suspect had also detached three jalousie blades from the adjacent stockroom window.
No other items were reported missing.

The thief remains unidentified.

Authorities have requested assistance from the Southern Leyte Provincial Forensic Unit to process the crime scene, while follow-up investigations are ongoing to determine the suspect’s identity and trace possible escape routes.

Police are urging the public and nearby establishments to report any suspicious activity that could help in identifying and apprehending the perpetrator.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

ORMOC CITY– A 64-year-old utility worker wanted for qualified theft was arrested on Saturday morning, December 6, after police served a court-issued warrant in Brgy. Buga-buga, Villaba, Leyte.

The accused was identified as alias “David,” married, and a resident of Sitio Caimito, Brgy. Buga-buga of said town.

His arrest was carried out by joint operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group(CIDG-8)

and the Villaba Municipal Police Station by virtue of a warrant of arrest dated December 4, 2025. The warrant was issued by Judge Dexter Lazarte Aguilar, acting presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 17, 8th Judicial Region, Palompon, Leyte, for the crime of qualified theft. Bail was set at P30,000.

Police said the suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he fully understood.

He was brought to the Villaba Municipal Police Station for booking and documentation prior to his turnover to the issuing court in Palompon for proper disposition.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– A 64-year-old man is facing charges of frustrated homicide after he allegedly stabbed a woman who refused to let him accompany her on a trip to Tanauan, Leyte.

The incident occurred at about 11:40 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, in Lumbang 1, Brgy. 96, Kalanipayan, Tacloban City.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Bong,” 64, married, jobless, and a native of Basey, Samar, currently residing in the barangay. The victim was identified only as alias “Maye,” 54, married, a housewife, and likewise a resident of the area.

Responding personnel of Police Station 1 rushed to the location after receiving a report from a concerned citizen. Upon their arrival, they found that the suspect had already been turned over by a witness and the responding barangay tanod. The victim, who suffered a stab wound in the abdomen, was immediately brought to the Tacloban City Hospital for treatment.

Initial investigation disclosed that the victim was preparing to travel to Tanauan to visit her daughter when the suspect insisted on going with her.

The witness, identified as alias “Sikay,” 21, single, and a resident of the same barangay, stated that when the victim refused—clarifying that she had no relation to the suspect—he became agitated, grabbed a gaff, and stabbed her. The victim then fled and sought help from a nearby barangay tanod, alias “Atan,” 35, who promptly arrested the suspect.
The suspect is now detained at the locked-up cell of Police Station 1.

Investigators have filed frustrated homicide charges before the Bulwagang Hall of Justice, and the case is now under proper disposition by PS1, TCPO.

(ROBERT DEJON)