TACLOBAN CITY — An elderly farmer was killed after being trapped in a grass fire that swept through a farmland area in Barangay Liberty, Ormoc City on Sunday afternoon, April 19.

Authorities identified the victim as “Lydia,” also known as alias Anita, 75 years old, a resident of Sitio Barukan in the said barangay.

Initial investigation by local authorities showed that the fire started around 2:30 p.m. while the victim was reportedly clearing or burning dried grass and farm debris in her farm. The flames quickly spread across the area due to dry conditions and wind.

Witnesses said the elderly farmer was unable to escape as the fire intensified, likely due to her age and limited mobility.

The fire was declared under control at around 5:40 p.m. after sweeping through portions of the rural area.

The Bureau of Fire Protection Ormoc City office said the incident was reported late, with firefighters only alerted at about 5:15 p.m. by a concerned resident. Responders arrived when the blaze had already subsided and later discovered the victim’s remains at the scene.

Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) were called in to process the area and assist in the investigation. The victim’s remains were brought to a local funeral facility.

Authorities are still determining the exact cause of the fire and are not ruling out all possibilities, including accidental ignition or other contributing factors.

Fire officials also reminded the public to immediately report grass or forest fires, especially in remote communities, to prevent similar fatalities.

(JUSTIN CARL SABILLO, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Visayas posted a strong performance in the April 2026 Midwives Licensure Examination, with seven examinees from the region landing in the list of topnotchers, the Professional Regulation Commission announced on April 20.

The results come amid continuing concerns over the nationwide shortage of midwives, with health worker groups earlier warning that the gap continues to affect maternal and newborn care, especially in far-flung and underserved communities.

Out of 2,124 examinees who took the exams on April 14–15, a total of 901 passed, yielding a national passing rate that highlights both the demand and competitiveness of the profession.

Leading the Eastern Visayas passers are Kryzza Jkah Balane Ramalla and Eden Bissok Sakiting of the University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences, who both ranked 4th place with a rating of 93.10 percent.

They were followed by Evz Darelle Capablanca Gandolfos (6th place), Jeliane Malbas Gargantilla (7th), Shirly Baliad Tenio (8th), and Marie Chris Olanio Valdez (9th).
Completing the regional achievers is Graceil Rado Dacuno of the Eastern Samar State University, who placed 10th overall.

The strong showing of Eastern Visayas examinees is seen as a positive development amid the continuing call to strengthen the country’s midwifery workforce, which plays a critical role in community-based healthcare services.

(RICARDO TODIO, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

ORMOC CITY-A family dispute over the alleged overpriced selling of soap turned deadly after a woman was hacked multiple times by her younger brother in Sitio Ansay, Barangay Union, Caibiran, Biliran on Sunday morning, April 20.

The victim, identified as alias “Merc,” 40, married and a store owner, later died while undergoing treatment at the Biliran Provincial Hospital due to multiple hack wounds on different parts of her body.

Her younger brother, alias “Bernz,” 25, a farmer with a live-in partner and also a resident of Barangay Union, was arrested following a hot pursuit operation by local police.

Initial investigation by the Philippine National Police Caibiran Municipal Police Station showed that the incident stemmed from an argument between the siblings over the price of soap allegedly sold by the suspect the night before.

Police said the disagreement escalated early Sunday morning, when the suspect allegedly armed himself with a sickle locally known as a “lampas” and repeatedly attacked his sister, inflicting fatal injuries.

Responding officers received the report around 7:35 a.m. and immediately proceeded to the area.

The victim was initially brought by relatives to the Caibiran Rural Health Unit before being transferred to the provincial hospital in Naval for further treatment.

The suspect fled after the incident but was later arrested during a follow-up operation by authorities.

Charges of homicide were filed against the suspect, who is currently detained at the Caibiran Municipal Police Station lock-up cell.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— A high-value drug suspect ranked No. 12 in the Regional Priority Target List of the Philippine National Police was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Larrazabal, Naval in Biliran on Monday, April 21.

The suspect, identified only as alias “Jay,” 25, single, and a resident of Barangay San Roque, was apprehended at around 11:56 a.m. through a joint operation led by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Biliran Provincial Police Office, in coordination with the Station Drug Enforcement Team and the Provincial Intelligence Unit.

Col. Erwin Portillo, provincial director of the Biliran police, said the suspect yielded several pieces of evidence, including five sachets containing white crystalline substances believed to be shabu and a self-sealing cellophane containing dried leaves suspected to be marijuana.

One sachet of suspected shabu was purchased by an undercover operative for P500, while additional sachets were recovered during a body search conducted in the presence of required witnesses.

Authorities also confiscated the marked money used in the operation, an improvised tooter with traces of suspected marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia.

The total weight of the seized substances has yet to be determined by the regional forensic unit.

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

Charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9165 were filed against the suspect, who is currently detained at the Naval Municipal Police Station.

(ROBERT DEJON)