Bohol police augment Sinulog fest security
Reports indicate that members of Bohol police have been deployed to augment the security needs of Sinulog festival.
The festival, among the top festivals in the country, will be held on Jan. 19, 2025 along the streets of Cebu City.
It is expected that a mammoth crowd will show up to witness various activities lined up for the Sinulog.
The festival is being done in honor of the Infant Jesus or Señor Sto. Niño.
Reports said that several members from the police force have travelled to Cebu and augment the security force.
It was reported that the police officers from Bohol departed for Cebu on Jan. 16, 2025.
It was said that almost all towns sent personnel, except towns where there are fiestas on Sunday.
The police personnel will be detailed in areas where there are Sinulog activities starting on Friday.
Some police personnel from Negros Oriental and Siquijor and other towns in Cebu province are also deployed to augment security forces.
Albur landfill to close temporarily Mayor says
Albur mayor Don Ritchie Buates
Albur mayor Don Ritchie Buates said he has decided to close the sanitary landfill located in his town.
Buates made the pronouncement on Jan. 14, 2025 during at the townhall with the members of the landfill board which he chairs.
Buates made the decision to close the landfill temporarily after having issues with the landfill operations.
These issues include a leakage at the retaining wall and lack of heavy equipment, among others.
It was learned that the local government unit allegedly had no support coming from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), which is the owner of the said facility.
It was said the number of heavy equipment serving the landfill is not enough as some of these heavy equipment are obsolete and need servicing.
The mayor said the closure of the Albur landfill was a personal decision after a consultation with the Municipal Solid Waste Management Board in relation to the issue.
The move is to send a message to other government± agencies that the LGU needs help in operating the landfill.
Such closure will severely impact the 18 LGUs relying on the landfill to dispose of waste or garbage.
Buates floated the possibility the closure will last for a couple of months, to allow rehabilitation and repair.
He assured the public the closure is not going to be permanent.
Meanwhile, such closure will impact 18 localities including Tagbilaran City if indeed the landfill will temporarily close.
Tagbilaran mayor Jane Yap raised concern on the possible effects of such closure during the consultation meeting.
She said that such closure will impact Tagbilaran negatively along with other localities relying on the landfill in garbage disposal.
Yap suggested that all LGUs using the landfill should band together and cooperate to help solve issues.
In this light, Yap volunteered to let Albur use one of the city-owned backhoes to be used in landfilll operations.
Buates, for his part, appreciated the gesture of Yap to cooperate with each other in solving the problems at the landfill.
Several Boholanos converge for peace, show opposition to VP Sara impeachment
Several Boholanos converged in a private venue in Panglao in the evening of Jan. 13, 2025 to pray for peace and to show solidarilty against plans to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.
The event was organized by people identified with the vice president including the leader of Alyansang Bol-anon Alang sa Kausaban (ABAKA) Norris Oculam.
The group that gathered made it known their opposition to the plan of some personalities to impeach the vice president.
Back in December 2024, at least three impeachment complaints were filed against the vice president and presenting various articles of impeachment.
The Boholanos gathered on the same day as millions of people, mostly members of the influential Iglesia ni Cristo, converged at the Quirino Grandstand and several other areas in the country in a rally for peace and support President Marcos Jr.’s position not to continue any moves to impeach the vice president.
BPPO working hard to implement gun ban
The Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) is now working harder to implement the election gun ban that started on Jan. 12, 2025.
Lt. Col. Norman Nuez said in a report that there were no gun ban violators arrested after a couple of days following the gun ban imposition.
They are extra vigilant and working round the clock to ensure that gun ban violators are arrested and to keep the unexempted firearms away from the streets.
This is in stark contrast with other areas in the country where four arrests were made by the Philippine National Police, a couple of days, from the start of the gun ban last Sunday.
Reports say the alleged violators were arrested for carrying firearms without the necessary exemption coming from the Comission on Elections (Comelec).
The police are expected to conduct mobile checkpoints to ensure there are no unexempted guns being transported.
Gun owners who wish to carry guns outside their premises may file an exemption with the Comelec.
During the gun ban, certain persons and law enforcement agencies and the military are exempted from the gun ban that will last until the end of election period on June 12, 2025.
Police hunt down cable thieves
Tagbilaran police are now hunting down the suspects behind the theft of electric cables that power street lights, according to City Police chief Lt. Col. John Kareen Escober.
Escober said at least five persons of interest are being tracked in connection with the cable theft.
It was reported that some street lights in the city went dark after it was alleged the cables supplying power were stolen.
The police said the thieves are already known but they refused to release the names to the public pending their arrest.
The police said they have already arrested some suspects involved in cable theft of telephone wires but they were minors and were eventually released.
However, those minors released apparently went back into stealing cable wires and are now the subject of the hunt of the police.
He said it is possible that an organized group is behind the cable theft that left some areas in the city in the dark.
The police are also taking a look at junk shops within or outside of the city with the help of other police units.
Earlier, Mayor Jane Yap dangled a reward of P100,000 to whoever could provide information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
Moreover, the mayor said she will close any junkshop that would patronize fenced articles such as stolen electric cables.
Dauis SB asks Bohol SP to probe whale watching in Catarman
The Dauis Sangguniang Bayan (SB) reportedly asked the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to conduct a probe regarding the whale watching activity at barangay Catarman that allegedly operates without a permit.
The SB wrote to the SP to intervene and look into the possible violations in the operation of the whale watching activity.
To recall, in December last year, Dauis became the third town to host a whale watching activity for tourists, the other towns in Bohol with similar activity are Albur and Lila.
It was reported a private firm is operating the whale watching activity following the permission coming from Mayor Roman Bullen via an executive order and apparently bypassed the SB.
Bullen gave a provisional period to the private firm to operate within a year with the aim to give a trial period to such activity.
Aside from the granting of a provisional period, allegedly the activity has no permit: Per the executive order; after the probation period is over, the operator may then apply for a permit to continue the whale watching activity.
For her part, Vice Mayor Marietta Sumaylo said she is not against any investment coming to town but any enterprise should follow regulations and undergo the right process.
She was surprised that the operator collected fees from tourists even if the permit is lacking as she questioned the basis of the fee collection when there is no ordinance allowing such actions.
It was reported that each tourist pay a fee of up to P1,200 if he wants to view the whales as the SB wants to know from the Mayor, his basis to grant a provisional period and subsequent fee collection.
Mayor Jane reiterates stance vs. reclamation
Tagbilaran mayor Jane Yap reiterated her stance against reclamation as there have been allegations that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engaged in reclamation at the third bridge work site.
It was alleged that there was reclamation being done by the unfinished third bridge connecting Tagbilaran to Panglao Island via Dauis.
Apparently, there was no consultation with the city and the mayor wants to probe the alleged reclamation if this is indeed true.
In a radio interview, Yap said the city government never gave any permission to any form of reclamation including the area near the third bridge.
As this developed, Yap formed a team that is tasked to investigate the allegations of reclamation near the third bridge.
“I firmly stand against any reclamation project in Tagbilaran that are initiated without proper consultation with our community, our stakeholders, and our environmentwl experts,” she said in an interview as she called for transparency when planning for the city’s development with considerations of inclusivity and sustainability.
Thus, she said, even if the reclamation is temporary or permanent, such plan should undergo the proper process and consultation.
She added that the city has been committed in preserving its rich heritage, culture and environment, as well as the well-being of the people in the city.
Even if the DPWH already said that what it did was temporary and necessary to complete the construction of the bridge, the probe will continue and there will be a consultation to shed light on the situation.
DPWH-1 district engineer John Paul Gaston said that his office has no knowledge or involvement in what seemed to be reclamation as it is the DPWH’s regional office which is the one implementing the project,
He said he was briefed that the supposed reclamation was used for crane way and is used for temporary basis as shallow waters make the use of barges impractical.
SB Ubay to probe alleged OFW abuse
The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Ubay looks to initiate a probe on the alleged abuses committed to overseas Filipino workers (OFW) from the said town who worked in South Korea.
These workers were sent to South Korea under the seasonal worker program of the said country.
In a recent regular session of the town council, the OFW attended and alleged that they were victims of abuse while working as factory workers and farmers.
The OFWs alleged that they received unfair treatment from their employers who allegedly forced them to work for almost 24 hours and there were no clear-cut job description.
They said everything went smooth prior to their arrival in South Korea.
However, upon their arrival there, the working conditions were no longer aligned with the workers’ expectations per stipulations in the contract.
Moreover, there were questions on why there was a private agency involved in the recruitment even if the seasonal worker program is under a government-to-government transaction.
Furthermore, it was alleged that the private agency collected fees from them and was not able to explain the reason behind the fees.
The OFWs alleged that they were forced to pay the fee in order to gain the opportunity to return home after allegedly being abused while working.
More than 25 persons from Ubay returned home from Korea in November 2024 as some remained in South Korea. More than 130 Ubayanons were hired under the said program.
Comelec considers 7 towns as areas of concern
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) considered seven Bohol towns as among the areas of concern in relation to the coming May 2025 polls.
The election period started on Jan. 12, 2025 wherein a gun ban started to be imposed.
Comelec provincial election supervisor, Eliseo Labaria said two towns are considered under orange category and these are Bilar and San Miguel towns.
The towns of Baclayon, Buenavista, Candijay, Ubay and Pilar are under the yellow category.
Labaria said the reinforcements will be focused on these areas as the Comelec sees possible threats in the said areas that need to the monitored well.
All other localities are under the green category, reports say, as there no potential issues or threats in these areas.
Towns under the yellow category have history of issues in the past.
Moreover, orange category are towns with serious armed threats.
Moreover, the red category are areas of grave concern with serious armed threats and history of election-related incidents, reports add.
Nationwide, the Comelec placed 38 areas under red, 177 areas under orange and 188 areas under the yellow category.
Meanwhile, 1,239 areas were placed under the green category (areas with no election-related security).
Labaria said that the intelligence community was part of the process that determined the categories of the areas.
The election period will end on June 12, 2025 for the May 2025 polls.
Family of killed stude clamors justice
The family of a student who died allegedly in a fire inside her boarding house in Tagbilaran City last Jan. 10, 2025 has clamoured for justice and wants to place the remains under an autopsy.
This comes as there were no witnesses at the time of the incident that could narrate what really happened to the victim that resulted in death.
The victim was identified as Kristel Joy Pimentel of Jagna town who allegedly died following a fire inside her boarding house.
Sources said that the victim was found dead inside the bathroom of the victim’s room in the boarding house
Reports say that allegedly the victim died due to asphyxia or suffocation.
Reports add that even the house help was unable to notice that there was a fire inside the victim’s room as Pimentel had no roommate with her at the time of the incident.
The family is suspecting possible foul play that resulted to the death of the victim.
As such, the family has requested to place the victim’s remains under autopsy, reports say.
Construction worker nabbed for drug raps in Loay town
A construction worker was arrested early morning of Jan. 13, 2025 in barangay
Poblacion Ubos, Loay following a drug buy bust operation.
The suspect was identified as a certain Glydon Estrada, 35, of barangay Tambangan, Loay.
The Municipal Drug Enforcement Team of Loay conducted the sting operation resulting in the arrest of the suspect.
Seized were alleged shabu estimated to weigh 0.16 grams and valued P1,088.
Charges of violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 may be filed against the suspect.
Top wanted person in Bohol arrested in Cebu
A top wanted person in Bohol was arrested in Cebu on Wednesday, according to reports.
The wanted person was arrested in barangay Inayawan, Cebu City, the reports add.
The suspect was identified as a certain Rodrigo Obod, 45, of barangay Villaflor, Carmen.
Carmen police and police from Cebu City served the warrant of arrest to the suspect. The suspect is being accused of statutory rape.
There is no bail recommended for his provisional liberty.
Man killed in road accident in Inabanga
A man was killed following a road accident involving a bus in barangay Biasong, Inabanga on Wednesday.
The victim was identified as Ariel Cortez, 22, of barangay Tinangnan, Tubigon.
Police said that a bus travelling from Buenavista to Inabanga accidentally hit the victim.
The bus driver was identified as a certain Albert Galimaso, 25, of Valencia town.
Initial investigation revealed that the victim allegedly all of a sudden crossed the street and the bus was unable to evade causing it to collide with the victim.
The victim sustained severe injuries that resulted in his death.
The rescuers tried to save the victim’s life but it was too late.
According to reports, the victim’s family and the driver reached an agreement which led to the former’s release.
Workers at whale watching in Catarman express concern
Workers at the private firm operating the whale watching activity in barangay Catarman have expressed over the plans of the Sangguniang Bayan to ask the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to probe the said activity.
Some fisherfolk expressed concern over the plan to investigate the said activity in barangay Catarman.
The fisherfolk have suspected some personalities who are allegedly pushing to put an end to the whale watching activity in the said town.
The workers, who are also fisherfolk, said if the town council wants to stop the activity, the leaders should provide those who might be displaced with alternative livelihood.
They said Mayor Bullen only helped the fisherfolk to get an alternative source of income as the activity was allowed upon the approval of the fisherfolk living in Catarman and in Mayacabac.
SP lifts state of calamity declaration due to El Niño
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has approved a resolution lifting the declaration of state of calamity in Bohol due to El Niño on Tuesday’s regular session.
Board member Aldner Damalerio filed a resolution calling for the lifting of the said state of calamity declaration.
He said with the approval of his resolution, the SP formally lifts the declaration of a state of calamity.
To recall, the SP declared a state of calamity in 2024 as the province was struggling with the effects of El Niño.
The declaration allowed the province to tap into resources that could help alleviate the issue of drought affecting mostly farmers and people in the agriculture sector.
Damalerio said that the provincial board was reminded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government of the need to lift the declaration.
Ubay Mayor Reyes shows dismay over delayed approval of town’s budget
The saga over the delay on the approval of Ubay town’s 2025 budget continues.
As this developed, Ubay mayor Costan Reyes expressed dismay over the reluctance of Vice Mayor Victor Bonghanoy to rule on the approval of the said budget.
To recall, the budget approval hit an impasse, as the vice mayor refused to rule citing certain issues and made a push back to the committee.
Speaking to reporters, Reyes said that he is saddened by the fact that the town’s programs are in a standstill pending the approval of this year’s budget.
The town government has not shut down despite having no budget as last year’s budget ordinance remains in effect.
Reyes said he is not happy with the way Bonghanoy is handling the budget approval.
Bonghanoy is among the mayoral aspirants in Ubay running against the wife of Mayor Reyes, Violy.
Reyes chided Bonghanoy for delaying the budget approval even if the measure already underwent the proper process.
First case of gun ban violation logged in Tagb
After several days, a person has been accosted for violation of gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) OK n Jan. 12, 2024.
In a report on Jan. 16, 2024, police in Tagbilaran City accosted a teenager who was caught allegedly possessing a firearm in barangay Manga.
Taken from a certain Joed Aquivida Cruz, 18, was a caliber .45 pistol, reports say.
Also seized from the suspect were two rounds of live ammunition.
Police said that elements of the theft and robbery section was having a follow-up investigation on the series of theft in the said area.
The police have been on the suspect’s tail and was able to corner the target in a grassy area.
The police then frisked the suspect and discovered the firearm in his possession, the reports added.
Reports say that this is the first case where the police arrested a suspect in alleged violation of the gun ban.
He will be facing charges in relation to the gun ban.
Idea to let private firm operate landfill floated
The idea to let a private firm operate the landfill in Albur has been floated amid the issue affecting the said facility in the said place.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Gov. Aris Aumentado said that if a private firm will be the one operating the landfill, the local government unit (LGU) can just sit back and wait for its share in the revenues generated from the use of the landfill.
At least 18 localities are using the sanitary landfill including Tagbilaran City, and these areas are paying fees to dump garbage into the landfill.
Aumentado said that it makes sense to allow a private firm to operate the landfill as it will become one less headache for the LGU.
He said that if the LGU struggles with the operation of the landfill, perhaps it is time to look for options including the allowance of private firms to operate the said facility,
Mayor Don Ritchie Buates said if the majority in the town would agree to allow private firms to operate the said facility, then he has no business not to agree.
Buates said that in the past, he has already spoke with some investors who are willing to invest money to operate the landfill.
However, he just merely shoved the idea into the backburner during those times in the past.