TACLOBAN CITY — The Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) reported notable gains in its law enforcement campaigns in 2025, citing hundreds of arrests and seizures resulting from intensified operations aimed at keeping peace and order across the province.

From January 1 to December 31, 2025, LPPO, under the leadership of Provincial Director Police Colonel Dionisio D.C. Apas Jr., conducted 45 anti-illegal drug operations that led to the arrest of 47 suspects and the seizure of 343.95 grams of illegal drugs worth about P2.34 million.

In support of the government’s anti-insurgency efforts, police also facilitated the surrender of 38 members of the New People’s Army and arrested two others during the same period.
The provincial police reported 320 operations against illegal gambling, resulting in the arrest of 855 individuals and the confiscation of P143,250.50 in betting money.

Operations against illegal fishing and logging were likewise intensified, with 613 anti-illegal fishing operations leading to 940 arrests and the seizure of fish and paraphernalia valued at P19.52 million, while 91 anti-illegal logging operations resulted in 156 arrests and the confiscation of items worth P1.65 million.

Meanwhile, manhunt operations led to the arrest of 1,643 wanted persons, including 146 most wanted individuals. Police also reported gains in the campaign against loose firearms, with 690 operations resulting in the surrender of 612 firearms and explosives and the confiscation of 85 others.

Col. Apas credited the accomplishments to the dedication and professionalism of LPPO personnel, adding that the provincial police remain committed to sustaining these efforts to ensure a safer and more secure Leyte.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — At least 10 local government units (LGUs) across Eastern Visayas were affected by flooding after days of heavy rains brought by a shearline, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 8 reported.

OCD-8 Regional Director Rey Gozon said flooding was recorded in the cities of Tacloban, Calbayog in Samar, and Borongan in Eastern Samar, as well as in the towns of Mayorga in Leyte; Culaba and Maripipi in Biliran; and Can-avid, Dolores, Jipapad, and Maslog in Eastern Samar.

Based on reports from local disaster risk reduction and management offices, a total of 1,564 families or 5,798 individuals were affected. Of these, 139 families or 437 individuals were evacuated to designated evacuation centers, while 15 families or 60 individuals temporarily sought shelter in other safe areas.

No casualties have been reported so far, although reports of missing persons are still being verified, according to the OCD.

The agency also confirmed a landslide incident in Babatngon, Leyte, but said the affected road remains passable and did not cause major disruptions.

Gozon said the OCD had issued five memoranda ahead of the shearline’s impact, including the suspension of travel to and from Eastern Visayas, the raising of the regional alert status from white to blue, the readiness of uniformed personnel for humanitarian assistance, the enforcement of preemptive evacuations, and the activation of a virtual operations center to closely monitor affected LGUs.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY— What appeared to be an ordinary package at a Baybay City delivery hub turned suspicious after a police K9 gave it away, leading to the interception of a suspected marijuana shipment worth more than P2 million, authorities said.

The discovery was made at around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, during a routine inspection at a delivery facility in Barangay Cogon. The operation was conducted jointly by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) of the Baybay City Police Station and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 8 as part of their ongoing land interdiction efforts.

Police said a PDEA K9 unit was sweeping the area when it alerted on a large carton box, prompting officers to take a closer look. An entrapment operation was immediately set in motion, but the intended recipient could no longer be reached by the delivery rider.

Inside the package, authorities found 17 bricks of suspected dried marijuana leaves weighing about 17 kilograms and valued at over P2 million. Also tucked inside were 20 vape inhalers containing cannabis oil worth an estimated P70,000, along with assorted clothing, bubble wrap, and the carton box used to conceal the items.

Authorities noted that courier services continue to be exploited by drug syndicates to move illegal substances, prompting stricter monitoring and inspections at delivery hubs across the region.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA, JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY — To support the education of future healthcare workers, the provincial government of Northern Samar has released P1.33 million in financial assistance to 31 nursing scholars as they begin the second semester of the 2025–2026 academic year.
Each scholar received P43,000 in stipends and allowances for books, uniforms, and other school-related expenses.

The release was made on the first office day of the year under the Provincial Government Nursing Scholarship Program (PGNS-NSP).

The scholarship program provides comprehensive support to deserving and underprivileged students from Northern Samar who are pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Benefits include semester stipends, book and equipment allowances, uniform assistance, related-learning expenses, and support for licensure examinations.

Launched during the administration of former Governor Edwin Ongchuan and continued under Governor Harris, the program aims to strengthen the province’s health services by producing licensed nurses who will later serve in public hospitals and government health facilities in Northern Samar.

During the distribution, scholars shared updates on their academic progress and exchanged tips on balancing studies and finances, with guidance from the PGNS-NSP Technical Working Group.

The provincial government also continues to directly cover related-learning expenses paid to schools, subject to the submission of required documents.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)