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)

ORMOC CITY— A heated argument between two farmer brothers escalated into violence, leaving the younger sibling wounded after a hacking incident Saturday afternoon, January 17, in Purok 3, Barangay San Vicente, Catbalogan City.

Police identified the victim as alias “Bet,” 22, with a common-law wife, while the suspect was identified as his elder brother, alias “Mar,” 28. Both are farmers and residents of Purok 3, Barangay San Vicente, Catbalogan City.

In a report submitted to the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), Catbalogan City Police said they received information from the barangay captain regarding the incident. Responding officers immediately proceeded to the area to verify the report and conduct an investigation.

Upon arrival, police said the suspect had already been subdued and turned over by barangay tanods to the responding Philippine National Police personnel.

Initial investigation revealed that the suspect, following a heated verbal altercation with his brother, armed himself with a long bolo locally known as a “sundang” and launched several hacking blows. The victim managed to parry the attack but sustained a defensive wound on his right hand.

Police said the suspect was brought to the Catbalogan City Police Station for proper disposition, while the victim was rushed to the Samar Provincial Hospital for medical treatment.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — More than 1,400 rice farmers from northern municipalities of Eastern Samar have received financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) as part of the government’s continued support for the farming sector.

A total of 1,403 farmers benefited from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund–Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) program, which was distributed in coordination with DA Regional Office 8. The aid aims to help rice farmers cope with the effects of market liberalization and rising production costs while strengthening agricultural productivity.

The distribution was attended by Eastern Samar lone district Representative Christopher Sheen Gonzales, Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone, provincial agriculturist Virgilio Capon, and officials of the Oras local government unit, led by Vice Mayor Adolfo Mugas and members of the Sangguniang Bayan.

In his message, Rep. Gonzales emphasized the need for sustained government intervention to improve farmers’ welfare and highlighted legislative measures being pushed in Congress to further support the agriculture sector, in coordination with House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Representative Marcelino Libanan.

Gonzales also paid tribute to farmers, recognizing their crucial role in ensuring food security and driving rural development. He reiterated the commitment of both Congress and the provincial government to continue implementing programs that promote the welfare of farmers and strengthen the broader agricultural sector.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)