ORMOC CITY— Four individuals were arrested and a drug den was dismantled after operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 8 seized more than P1 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Atabay,Hilongos, Leyte on the evening of January 19, 2026.

The operation was spearheaded by the PDEA Region 8–Southern Leyte Provincial Office, with support from the PDEA Region 8–Leyte Provincial Office, the Provincial Intelligence Team (PIT) Southern Leyte/Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 8, and the Hilongos Municipal Police Station.

PDEA said the buy-bust operation was carried out at around 10:19 p.m., resulting in the arrest of four suspects and the seizure of illegal drugs and other evidence.

The suspects were identified as alias “Tolits,” 56, alleged maintainer of the drug den; alias “Karding,” 60, visitor; alias “Karla,” 26, visitor; and alias “Boying,” 25, identified as a drug den employee.

Authorities seized a total of 148 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, with an estimated street value of P1,006,400. The confiscated drugs included one heat-sealed plastic sachet containing 0.89 grams of suspected shabu as the subject of sale, and 27 sachets containing a combined 147.11 grams as the subject of possession.

Also recovered were various non-drug items allegedly used in illegal drug activities, including drug paraphernalia, buy-bust money, cash amounting to P362, a digital weighing scale, a cellular phone, and empty plastic sachets. Firearms were likewise seized, consisting of a .45 caliber pistol with a magazine and seven live rounds of ammunition, as well as a loaded improvised 12-gauge shotgun.

The arrested suspects are currently in the custody of the operating units and will face charges for violations of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, and 15, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act 10591 for illegal possession of firearms.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — Government troops in Northern Samar have gained another breakthrough in their anti-insurgency campaign after a New People’s Army (NPA) member involved in supplying firearms, ammunition, and food to rebels voluntarily surrendered earlier this month.

The former rebel turned himself over to the 20th Infantry Battalion in Las Navas, Northern Samar, on January 18, 2026, according to the 8th Infantry Division.

Military officials said the surrenderee played a key role in sustaining NPA operations by providing war materiel and logistical support. He reportedly decided to abandon the armed movement after realizing the futility of the armed struggle.

Brig. Gen. Carmelito Pangatungan, commander of the 803rd Infantry Brigade, said the surrender underscores the importance of cooperation and dialogue in advancing peace and security at the community level.

“This is a testament to the power of cooperation, trust, and sincere dialogue,” Pangatungan said.

The 8th Infantry Division noted that localized peace engagements continue to weaken insurgent support networks and encourage voluntary surrenders, with community participation and lawful reintegration programs proving effective.

The military renewed its call for remaining NPA members and supporters to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law, assuring them that avenues for peaceful reintegration remain open.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY— A 31-year-old hairdresser was injured after he was allegedly stabbed by his live-in partner during a heated argument Monday night, January 19, in Barangay Sto. Rosario, Matag-ob, Leyte.

Police identified the victim as alias “Nathan,” 31, while the suspect was identified as alias “Carl,” 23, the victim’s live-in partner and an unemployed resident of the same barangay.
Based on a report from the Matag-ob Municipal Police Station (MPS) to Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), the stabbing occurred at around 8:40 p.m. following an argument over a personal matter that escalated into violence.

Responding police officers said that upon arrival at the scene, they found the victim, a member of LGBTQ, bleeding from a stab wound. Initial investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly became enraged during the altercation, grabbed a bladed weapon, and stabbed the victim, hitting him in the body.

The victim was immediately brought to Gatchalian Hospital in Ormoc City for medical treatment, while the suspect voluntarily surrendered to the responding police officers.
Police recovered the bladed weapon used in the incident, measuring approximately 22 inches from tip to handle, which was surrendered by the suspect. The suspect and the weapon were taken to the Matag-ob MPS for proper documentation and disposition.
Authorities said appropriate charges are being prepared against the suspect.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— A mason was arrested after police seized four sachets of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation on Monday night, January 19, in Barangay Poblacion, Alangalang, Leyte.

The suspect was identified by police as alias “Robert,” of legal age, with a common-law wife, and a resident of Holy Child I, Barangay Poblacion, Alangalang.

Police said the operation was carried out at around 10:20 p.m. in Holy Child I, where an undercover operative was able to purchase one sachet of suspected shabu worth P500 from the suspect. Following the transaction, operatives immediately arrested him.

During a body search conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, police recovered a black coin purse containing three more sachets of white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu and one P500 bill used as buy-bust money.

Authorities noted that the actual weight of the confiscated suspected shabu is still subject to laboratory examination by the Regional Forensic Unit.

The suspect was informed of the cause of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood, police said.

Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against the suspect, who is currently detained at the lock-up cell of the Alangalang Municipal Police Station.

(ROBERT DEJON)