ORMOC CITY– The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Naval, Biliran is conducting an in-depth investigation into a fire that completely destroyed a bungalow-type house on Christmas Day, December 25, in Barangay Caraycaray.

The house, owned by a 55-year-old resident only identified as “Ron,” was engulfed in flames at around 6:50 pm, with firefighters working quickly to bring the blaze under control.

Initial reports from the BFP revealed that the homeowner had left his house at around 9 am to attend a Christmas party in Barangay P.I. Garcia, also in the same town.

At about 6:40 pm, he received a call from a neighbor informing him that his house was on fire. He rushed back to find firefighters actively battling the flames.

The fire was declared under control by 6:50 pm and fully extinguished by 7:09 pm, according to fire officials.

The BFP has yet to determine the cause of the fire, and an investigation is ongoing to establish the origin and possible circumstances surrounding the incident.

No injuries were reported, but the house was completely burned down, leaving the homeowner to assess the extent of the loss during what was meant to be a day of celebration.

(ROBERT DEJON)

In Northern Samar

ORMOC CITY– Local authorities in Biri, Northern Samar are appealing to the public for help in identifying a male body found floating in the seawaters of Barangay San Pedro on the morning of December 26, 2024.

The body was described as a male wearing red boxer shorts, a blue t-shirt, and a gold bracelet on his left wrist.

According to police, “Mike,” a 48-year-old barangay chairman and resident of Barangay San Pedro, reported the discovery around 9 am on the same day.

Responders from the local police, the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) arrived at the scene around 11 am.They retrieved the cadaver and brought it to the town’s rural health unit for a post-mortem examination.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the identity of the deceased to contact the Biri Municipal Police Station.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Biliran has announced that it will cover the cost of the monthly rental for a barge to transport heavy vehicles between Leyte and Biliran, as confirmed by Governor Gerard Roger Espina.

“The provincial government will shoulder the monthly barge rental expenses through the calamity fund, while fuel charges will be covered by the daily operations through transport fees for long-term sustainability,” he stated.

The province of Biliran was placed under a state of calamity on December 28,2024 by the provincial board during a special session. This decision followed the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) after their December 24 meeting.

The move was in response to possible economic impacts after the Biliran Bridge was discovered to suffering from defects that need repair.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has limited the load and weight of vehicles passing the bridge constructed in 1975.

“Although we still have to wait for a clear pathway at both Leyte and Biliran ports, the barge will remain on standby at Naval and will be deployed once the docking areas are cleared,” Gov. Espina added.

The barge designated for the transport of heavy vehicles has already arrived and is currently docked at Naval port.

Meanwhile, the Biliran District Engineering Office is continuing its work to prepare docking sites in Leyte and Biliran towns.

Progress on the docking site preparations has been delayed due to persistent rain in the region since December. Once completed, the barge will transport heavy vehicles, particularly those carrying essential goods and products, between Leyte and Biliran.

The use of the barge became necessary following an inspection on December 24, which revealed structural issues with the Biliran Bridge after a viral video showed it “swaying.” As a precaution, only light vehicles and those weighing less than 5 tons are currently permitted to cross the bridge.

Among the most affected by the weight restrictions are fuel tankers supplying gasoline stations in the province. In response, the Department of Energy has coordinated with the Philippine Navy to transport fuel tankers from Cebu to Biliran to ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply.

On December 31, Petron Corporation sent nine fuel tankers carrying a total of 180,000 liters of petroleum from Cebu to Biliran to replenish the fuel stocks of its gas stations operating in the province.

Gov. Espina emphasized that these measures are part of the provincial government’s commitment to ensuring the continuous delivery of essential goods and services despite the challenges posed by the bridge’s weight restrictions.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY-A newly identified drug peddler was arrested by the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of the local police of Palompon, Leyte during a buy-bust operation conducted on December 27, at 6:54 pm, in Purok Bangus 1, Barangay Mazawalo, this municipality.

The suspect, identified only as alias “Iyoy,” a 25-year-old jobless resident of Mazawalo, is listed as a street-level individual on the local police’s drug watchlist.

According to authorities, the operation yielded one sachet containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, purchased by an undercover operative for P500.

During a body search conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, two additional sachets of suspected shabu and the marked P500 buy-bust money were recovered from the suspect.

Charges for violations of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed against the suspect at the City Prosecutor’s Office.

He is currently detained at the Palompon Municipal Police Station’s lock-up facility.

The Palompon police reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying anti-drug operations in the municipality as part of their ongoing campaign against illegal drugs.
(ROBERT DEJON)