ORMOC CITY— Authorities apprehended three individuals on Feb.17 for illegally transporting gasoline in improvised containers, posing serious fire hazards along the Maharlika Highway in Northern Samar.

The suspects—alias “Mar,” 46, a married driver from Brgy. Old Rizal, Catarman; alias “Lito,” 22, truck helper from Brgy. Sumuroy, Catarman; and alias “Jem,” 18, truck helper from Brgy. Old Rizal, Catarman—were stopped at around 6:25 a.m. at the Maharlika checkpoint in Brgy. Jubasan, Allen, Northern Samar.

Police said the suspects were riding an Isuzu Forward wing van (plate CBP-8338) heavily loaded with 182 containers of gasoline, totaling 3,640 liters (37 unleaded, 145 premium), estimated at P182,000. The driver admitted the fuel was intended for retail sale (“bote-bote”) in San Isidro, Northern Samar, but failed to present any permits or authorization to transport petroleum products.

Checkpoint personnel noted that the containers were improvised and did not meet safety standards, creating a high risk of fire. The operation involved Allen MPS, OPLAN Maharlika, the Northern Samar Provincial Intelligence Unit, and the 1st Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company.

The suspects were informed of their constitutional rights and brought, together with the confiscated gasoline, to Allen MPS for proper disposition and filing of charges.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — Determined to keep its winning streak alive, Ormoc City has intensified training for the upcoming Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet 2026, with athletes undergoing daily drills and conditioning sessions since January.
Training camps at the Ormoc City Sports Complex and other venues are now in full swing as student-athletes prepare to defend the city’s overall championship title — a crown Ormoc has held since 2018.

Coaches said this year’s preparations are more challenging, with several teams fielding mostly new players following the graduation of veteran athletes.

“The hardest part, if most of your athletes are new, you really need to go back to square one,” said Ricardo Jose Eduardo Martinez III, secondary badminton tournament director. “But through constant training, they can also win medals.”

Baseball trainer Johannes Ivan Montebon noted that only two members remain from their previous lineup, but the team remains determined to replicate its past podium finishes.
Athletes begin their day before sunrise with conditioning runs, followed by sport-specific drills and afternoon scrimmages. Recovery methods such as ice baths are also being introduced, while nutrition and rest are closely monitored.

City officials said full logistical and technical support is being provided to ensure the delegation is competition-ready as EVRAA 2026 approaches.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The provincial government of Leyte has strengthened regulations on the use of its provincial roads, imposing stricter limits on heavy vehicles to curb road damage and improve public safety.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan recently passed a revised ordinance updating earlier rules governing road use across the province’s 594-kilometer network of declared provincial roads.

Authored by Board Member Carlo Loreto, the measure sets clearer guidelines on vehicle weight limits, road usage permits, and enforcement procedures. The ordinance aims to protect government infrastructure investments and address concerns over road deterioration, traffic congestion, and safety risks linked to unregulated truck operations.

Under the revised rules, only single- to double-axle trucks with a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 20,000 kilograms, or 20 tons, and carrying quarry, sand, or gravel materials may use designated provincial routes. Truck operators must also follow assigned routes.

Violators face a P5,000 fine per offense, vehicle impoundment pending clearance from the Governor’s Office, and possible cancellation of sand and gravel permits.

Enforcement will be carried out by the Leyte Police Provincial Office, local police units, barangay officials, and the Provincial Sand and Gravel Task Force.

The ordinance will take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY— A tricycle driver was arrested Sunday evening, Feb.22, after allegedly yielding suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Marvel, Isabel, Leyte.
Operatives from the Station Drug Enforcement Team of the Isabel Municipal Police conducted the operation at around 8:10 p.m., recovering eight sachets containing a white crystalline substance.

The suspect, identified as alias “Melvin,” 38, single, and a trike driver from Brgy. Marvel, was caught after one sachet worth P500 was bought by an undercover operative.

A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of law-mandated insulating witnesses, revealed a brown coin purse containing seven additional sachets of the suspected shabu. Authorities also recovered a P500 bill, part of the court-authorized buy-bust fund.

The combined weight of the suspected shabu was estimated at approximately 1.43 grams, with a Dangerous Drugs Board value of around P9,724.

Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165 were filed at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Ormoc City. The suspect is currently held at the Isabel MPS detention facility.

(ROBERT DEJON)

In Biliran

ORMOC CITY— A 41-year-old fisherman was arrested Tuesday morning in Brgy. Madao, Kawayan, Biliran following a local court-issued warrant for alleged crimes against chastity.
The suspect, identified as alias “Ricky,” a married resident of Brgy. Madao and ranked No. 2 on the municipal most-wanted list, was taken into custody around 7:50 a.m. by Kawayan police.

The arrest stemmed from a warrant of arrest dated February 10, 2026, issued by Judge Thea Gicela Casas Nueve-Zamora of RTC Eighth Judicial Region Branch 16 in Naval, Biliran.
Ricky faces charges of acts of lasciviousness under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Section 5(B) of RA 7610, including three counts of lascivious conduct, with recommended bail ranging from P10,000 to P30,000.

Authorities said the suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he understood before being brought to the Kawayan Municipal Police Station for booking and proper disposition prior to presentation before the issuing court.

(ROBERT DEJON)

Globe Telecom opened the year with a bold message at its flagship quarterly media event. The Blueprint by Globe where connectivity is no longer about speed, but about consistent, reliable service, affordability, and easy access.

Held at The Globe Tower, the event showcased how Globe is strengthening the way Filipinos live, work, and connect by treating internet service as a non‑negotiable lifeline. With the theme “Every Filipino Connected,” Globe unveiled innovations and milestones across its portfolio, underscoring its mission to ensure that every Filipino partakes in the benefits of the digital economy.

Among the highlights was Globe’s pioneering partnership with Starlink’s Direct‑to‑Cell satellite technology. Following the live pilot trial, Globe and Starlink are preparing to expand testing across additional locations and operational scenarios.

Globe also celebrated its recognition by Ookla® as the country’s most reliable mobile and broadband network, with consistency scores that set new benchmarks for the industry. This achievement reinforces Globe’s commitment to deliver “Connectivity You Can Count On”, “Connectivity for Every Filipino”, and “Experience Globe Connectivity”, reflecting Globe’s three pillars for 2026.

“This recognition affirms that Globe’s investments are delivering real benefits for our customers, reliable connectivity they can count on every day for work, learning, and commerce. Consistency is more than a benchmark; it is the backbone of a digital economy where MSMEs thrive, families stay connected, and communities build resilience. By delivering quality of experience at scale, Globe empowers lives and contributes to nation‑building, making connectivity a driver of inclusive growth for the Philippines,” says Roche Vandenberghe, Chief Marketing Officer at Globe.

Beyond groundbreaking network innovations, The Blue Print by Globe also highlighted a suite of customer-centric, business-focused, and community-based initiatives designed to enrich everyday experiences and empower progress.

Globe Business is empowering enterprises of all sizes with the country’s first fully managed, enterprise‑grade data streaming platform in partnership with Confluent, alongside the Globe Omnichannel Cloud Contact Center (GOCCC) with Call Center Studio, innovations that democratize real‑time intelligence and AI‑powered customer engagement by removing CAPEX barriers and delivering Google‑cloud hosted infrastructure.

Globe At Home is transforming fiber connectivity into an intelligent utility, as essential as water and electricity. Through its Built‑in Broadband initiative, fiber ports are integrated directly into new property developments, complemented by AI‑driven innovation and a 24‑hour Care Squad guaranteed to deliver “Digital Peace of Mind” for Filipino homes. (PR)