ORMOC CITY— A laborer voluntarily surrendered an improvised firearm to police during an anti-criminality operation in Barangay Caraycaray, Naval, on December 31, authorities said.
The Naval Municipal Police Station (MPS) identified the individual as alias “Bry,” 18, single, a laborer and resident of Barangay Caraycaray.
Police said the surrender took place at around 12:45 p.m. while officers were conducting a Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operation (SACLEO) and intelligence monitoring against illegal firearms, locally known as “boga.”
According to Naval police, the suspect turned over a locally made air gun known as “De Holen,” an improvised firearm that uses marbles as projectiles. The surrendered item was immediately brought to the Naval MPS for proper documentation and disposition.
Authorities did not report any arrests in connection with the incident.
The Philippine Statistics Authority – Regional Statistical Services Office VIII (PSA – RSSO 8) will conduct the January 2026 Labor Force Survey (LFS) together with the second visit of the 2025 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) on 13 to 31 January 2026.
The monthly LFS aims to generate high-frequency data on the Philippine labor market to better monitor and assess the country’s employment situation and economic conditions. Its results serve as vital inputs for planning, policy formulation, and implementation of programs that promote gainful employment and support livelihood opportunities for Filipinos. The LFS will gather employment characteristics of the population based on a “past week” reference period.
Meanwhile, the FIES aims to gather detailed information on family income and expenditure, including sources of income and spending levels. The data help determine income distribution and the degree of inequality among families. The 2025 FIES Visit 2 will collect data covering the second semester of 2025.
In Eastern Visayas, 10,752 households will be interviewed to achieve reliable estimates at the regional level. The sample housing units are selected from the 2023 GeoMS for
household-based surveys of PSA. In order to link the LFS to FIES, the same unique identification of the family/household shall be used in both surveys. Data collection in the field will utilize Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) using Tablet installed with an application called Computer-Aided Data Collection System (CADaCS).
The authority to conduct the January 2026 LFS and the 2025 FIES Visit 2 has been cleared by the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism under
RA 10625 that ensures sound design, promotes economy, eliminates duplication in data collection, and minimizes respondent burden.
In this regard, PSA–RSSO 8 enjoins everyone to support the survey by providing accurate information to authorized Statistical Researchers who will be visiting sample respondents. PSA reassures the public that all personnel involved in the survey are bound by the
Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173) to keep all information obtained during the survey in strict confidence. Individual data provided to PSA for statistical inquiries, surveys, and censuses are considered privileged communication and cannot be used as evidence in any court of law, tribunal, or administrative body. (PR)
ORMOC CITY— A 46-year-old painter died instantly after his motorcycle collided head-on with another motorcycle in Brgy. Pilar, Oquendo District, Calbayog City on Saturday afternoon, January 10.
The victim, identified as alias “Omar,” a resident of Purok 4, Brgy. Dawo, was riding a black-and-blue Honda Wave 110 from Barangay Dinagan toward Brgy. Dawo when he allegedly encroached into the opposite lane and collided with a red Rusi Macho motorcycle driven by alias “R.J.C.,” 17, with a 17-year-old back rider, alias “C.Z.C.,” both residents of Purok 1, Brgy. Pilar.
Calbayog City police reported that the collision occurred at around 5:50 p.m. Upon arrival, responding officers found the victim lifeless on the pavement. The impact caused severe head injuries, resulting in his instantaneous death.
The teenage driver and back rider of the Rusi Macho sustained injuries and were immediately transported to St. Camillus Hospital for medical attention.
Both motorcycles were impounded by authorities for safekeeping, while the painter’s body was brought to a local funeral home for arrangements before being returned to his family.
The incident is under investigation by the Calbayog City Police Station to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the collision.
ORMOC CITY— A suspected drug personality classified as a street-level individual voluntarily surrendered to police on Tuesday morning, January 6, following a community-based anti-illegal drugs operation, authorities said.
The individual, identified as alias “Jeff,” 33, unemployed, and a resident of Biliran town, presented himself at the Biliran Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Barangay San Isidro, Biliran, Biliran at around 11:00 a.m.
Police said the surrender came after personnel of the Biliran MPS visited his residence as part of “Oplan Tokhang” or “Toktok Hangyo,” a door-to-door approach encouraging individuals involved in illegal drugs to reform and cooperate with authorities.
After surrendering, the individual underwent standard police procedures, including interview, documentation, mugshot taking, and booking. He also executed an affidavit of undertaking, committing to refrain from engaging in any form of illegal drug activities and to cooperate with the police in their ongoing anti-illegal drug efforts within the municipality.
Authorities said the program aims to promote voluntary reform and strengthen community cooperation in addressing the illegal drug problem at the local level.
House Minority Floor Leader Marcelino ‘Noynoy’ Libanan
House Minority Floor Leader Marcelino ‘Noynoy’ Libanan
TACLOBAN CITY — With the current Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program set to lapse in 2027, House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan is urging Congress to move early in crafting and approving a successor law to ensure the continuity of the country’s defense build-up.
Libanan stressed that timely legislative action is crucial to avoid gaps in planning, funding, and procurement as the 15-year revised AFP Modernization Program nears its end.
“The revised AFP Modernization Program, enacted in 2012, will expire in 2027. Congress should enact a successor modernization framework ahead of its expiration to ensure a smooth transition to the next phase,” Libanan said. “By acting early, we can keep the AFP capable, credible, and responsive, while maintaining a stable and coherent long-term modernization strategy.”
The AFP modernization program focuses on upgrading the military’s capabilities through the acquisition of advanced equipment, weapons systems, and defense technologies, including intelligence and surveillance assets critical to national security.
In 2025, the program reached several milestones with the delivery of two newly built 3,200-ton guided-missile frigates—BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Diego Silang. These vessels complement the earlier deliveries of the 2,600-ton guided-missile frigates BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna in 2020 and 2021.
The Department of National Defense also received five additional S-70i Black Hawk multi-role helicopters in 2025 and finalized a contract for 12 more FA-50PH supersonic fighter jets.
Funding support for modernization continues to grow, with the 2026 General Appropriations Act allocating P40 billion in capital outlays for AFP modernization projects, up from P35 billion in 2025.
Congress first approved a 15-year AFP modernization program in 1995 through Republic Act No. 7898, which earmarked at least P50 billion for the first five years. The program was revised and extended in 2012 under Republic Act No. 10349, increasing initial funding to P75 billion for the same period.
Budget records show that from 2013 to 2025, Congress allocated a total of P313.6 billion in new appropriations to support the AFP modernization program, with an additional P134.1 billion authorized in unprogrammed appropriations to further bolster the military’s capability development.
Libanan said sustaining these gains requires foresight and decisive action from lawmakers to ensure that the AFP’s modernization remains on track beyond 2027.
TACLOBAN CITY — Police arrested a barangay tanod after he allegedly attacked a coast guard draftee with a rattan stick in broad daylight along Paterno Street in Barangay 28 here on Monday morning, January 12.
The suspect was identified as “Mik,” 46, single, and a resident of Barangay 28. The victim, “Aries,” 27, is a coast guard draftee from Barangay 42, Quarry District.
Police here said that the incident occurred at around 10 a.m. while Aries was walking home with his live-in partner, “Jha,” from her residence. As they passed through an alley in the area, the suspect allegedly appeared suddenly and struck the victim twice in the stomach using a rattan stick, without any apparent provocation.
The victim attempted to move away, but the suspect reportedly followed him and continued urging him to come closer. Aries managed to avoid further injury by raising his hands to shield himself until a concerned resident intervened and stopped the assault.
Personnel from Police Station 2 of the Tacloban City Police Office later tracked down the suspect outside his residence and placed him under arrest. The suspect, along with the victim and a witness, was brought to the police station for investigation and proper disposition.
Police said appropriate charges will be filed against the suspect after the completion of the investigation.
