Soldier shoots dead fellow soldier in Carmen
A soldier shot dead a fellow soldier after the two had a scuffle in grabbing a firearm. The incident happened inside a military camp in barangay Katipunan Carmen town, on the evening of Jan. 26, 2025. The two soldiers were allegedly drunk when the incident happened. The fatality was identified as Cpl. Ruben Osano, 32, of Lampaya Calinog, Iloilo City and the suspect was identified as Pvt. 1FC Jose Anthony Dangan Jr, 27 of Pangabuan, Jamindan, Capiz. Police said in their initial investigation that the victim and suspect it were initially with their respective groups having separate drinking sessions. After a while, Osano went over to Dangan’s area. Then, the suspect, already drunk, asked permission to hit the sack and sleep in their quarters. The suspect followed the victim as the latter went into the quarters to sleep. Osano’s partner was in the quarter as Dangan entered the room. Osano pleaded allegedly to the suspect that he and his partner were about to go to sleep and leave them alone. Allegedly Dangan took out a firearm and they had a scuffle to gain possession of the said firearm. One thing led to another, the gun went off. It was alleged the two had an old misunderstanding. It was further alleged that the suspect did not properly ask permission from the victim to buy some food outside the camp. It was also alleged that during the drinking session, the victim lashed out on the suspect about the earlier incident as the suspect kept on asking for apologies. The suspect was taken into custody and may face charges that will be filed against him.
College student nabbed for alleged drug trade
A college student was arrested following a drug buy bust operation on Jan. 27, 2025 in Inabanga town, according to reports. The suspect was identified as a certain Kim Xavier Mencedez, 23, of barangay Luyo. Police detected the suspect to have been allegedly engaging in the illegal drug trade and the authorities launched a sting operation to arrest him. The Inabanga municipal drug enforcement team conducted the sting operation at barangay Fatima where the suspect was arrested after he engaged with a poseur buyer. Seized from the suspect were packets containing alleged shabu eatimated to be worth P1,564 as a firearm with three live ammunition was also confiscated. Authorities will file charges of violation of Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and the election gun ban.
2 men alleged to forcibly take vehicle in Loay get arrested
Two men who allegedly used intimidation to forcibly take a vehicle in Loay town were arrested by the police. The incident took place on Jan. 27, 2025 at barangay Yanangan, Loay. The suspects were identified as Alvin Dajang and Limuel Cajeg both from Valencia town. Police report said the two suspects allegedly forced a vehicle owner to lend them a car. The suspects allegedly used a gun to intimidate the vehicle owner so the latter would lend them the car. The owner refused to lend the vehicle to the suspects and at this point, allegedly, the suspects showed a firearm in an attempt to intimidate the vehicle owner. The vehicle owner managed to seek help from the police and it led to the arrest of the suspects. Taken from Dajang was a .38 caliber revolver with five rounds of live ammunition and two packets containing alleged shabu. Moreover, police seized from Cajeg a pistol and some live rounds of ammunition and also packets containing alleged shabu. The two suspects were taken into custody as charges will be filed against them.
Man nabbed for alleged illegal drug trade
A man was arrested in barangay Taloto this city by the Philppine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in a buy bust operation on Jan. 27, 2025 . The PDEA detected the suspect to be allegedly engaging in illegal drug trade and a sting operation was launched against the suspect. The suspect was identigief as Justine Richard Galao, 26, of barangay Booy, Tagbilaran City. The suspect was arrested after engaging with a poseur buyer in the sting operation. Seized from the suspect’s possession were 11 packets containing alleged shabu and estimated to weigh 55 grams and valued at P314,000. The suspect is facing charges of violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
2 women arrested in Jagna for alleged illegal gambling
Two women were arrested in Jagna for alleged illegal gambling activitiies on Jan. 27, 2025. The women were arrested allegedly for operating an illegal numbers game in barangay Poblacion, Jagna. The suspects were identified as Emidia Lloren Taglip and her daughter Carrie Ann and both are residents of barangay Poblacion. Jagna police conducted an anti-illegal gambling operation, which led to the arrest of the two suspects. The two were caught red handed engaging in illegal numbers game operation. Taken from the suspects were alleged bet money, and illegal numbers game paraphernalia. Sources say the two suspects are alleged members of the Cebu group which is the one allegedly engaged in illegal numbers game operations.
Chatto aide rues issue linking solon to alleged reclamation in Tagb
Cong. Edgar Chatto
The top aide of Cong. Edgar Chatto rued the linking of the lawmaker’s name to the issue on allege reclamation as he called the people to unite and work for a common goal instead. Chatto’s chief-of -staff Abeleon Damalerio said those who continue to whine are the first ones who will benefit from the projects initiated by the congressman. Damalerio reacted on how Chatto’s name has been seemingly dragged into the issue of the alleged reclamation near the third bridge connecting Panglao Island and mainland Bohol. In context, the city government raised a cry of protest over what it saw as a form of reclamation ar the Pook Pantalan area where limestones and earth were dumped in an area resembling reclamation. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) -7 explained that the dumping of earth is an embankment to be used as a crane way and to allow movement of heavy equipment. Just the same, Damalerio explained that it is the DPWH who is responsible for the implementation of the project and Chatto’s office has no participation apart from sourcing the necessary funds to finance the multi-billion peso bridge project. Moreover, Damalerio said he finds it illogical for people to air complaints and blame Chatto for issues when they are the first ones who will hugely benefit from such projects. The third bridge project is Chatto’s brainchild as he foresaw that traffic going to and from the Bohol Panglao International Airport (BPIA) will become heavier and having two access points to Panglao from Tagbilaran City, will not be enough. Thus, Chatto worked to have the third bridge project realized and President Marcos Jr. has supported the project together with other big-ticket items, the expansion of the BPIA and the continued construction of the Gov. Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Center in Cortes town, which was created by a law authored by Chatto. The BPIA was completed during Chatto’s time as Bohol governor in 2018. In this line, Damalerio, acting as Chatto’s aide, thanked the president for his support for the three mega projects during Marcos Jr.’s visit to Cebu on Thursday, during the meeting of the Regional Development Council-7 where the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) presented the projects.
RIGHT MINDS
Aldner Damalerio
Damalerio believes that there are plenty of Boholanos and Tagbilaranons who appreciate what Chatto has been doing and understand the situation. He said people should not force the issue by creating mountains out of molehills. After all, Chatto has been a staunch champion of the environment and he demonstrated before where he stood in the issue of reclamation especially when bio-diversity will be damaged. He said that effort and time should not be wasted on something that is not worthwhile.
9 brgy. captains support Montero’s bid for mayor
At least nine barangay captains have expressed support to the candidacy of mayoralty aspirant Leonila Montero.
There are 10 barangays in Panglao as Montero attempts to return as town mayor.
Moreover, Montero is said to be supported by eight Sangguniang Kabataan chairmen for Montero’s bid to return as mayor.
Montero has tapped Coun. Dennis Hora as her running mate.
Montero is looking to prevent what happened to her daughter in the last elections where Aya lost to now incumbent Mayor Edgardo Arcay.
Montero held the mayoralty post for three terms from 2013 to 2022.
Rotunda near third bridge seen as possible park
Plans have surfaced to convert the rotunda near the third bridge connecting Panglao island to Tagbilaran City into a park after it was discussed during a dialog on Tuesday.
On Jan. 28, 2026, officials from the city government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had a consultation regarding the issues affecting the construction of the third bridge which is located at Pook Pantalan.
Coun. Nerio Zamora II pointed out to the DPWH what will happen to the rotunda in the future.
It was asked if the city government will take over the site in order to make a green space filled with plants and trees.
The DPWH said that it has no immediate plans for the rotunda as they are focused on the building of the pathways.
The DPWH said the city government may write a letter to express intent to use such an area as a green space and this is possible as there is a precedent as a green space sprouted at the Fuente Osmeńa Circle in Cebu City.
Although such a plan still needs to be coordinated with the DPWH regional office for more discussions about the plans of the city government.
Observers say, having a park could add to the aesthetics and the park could serve as a rendezvous place for tourists arriving as the tourist seaport is just a stone’s throw away.
Tourist firm workers allegedly harbor ill feelings against Dauis SB members
It is alleged that workers of Bohol Wonder Site and Recreational Services harbor ill feelings against some members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Dauis for initiating an investigation into the whale watching operations in barangay Catarman.
This were the sentiments of the personnel working with the firm which is the one operating the whale watching activity, according to a report.
The personnel said they are just eking out a living working at the said firm operating the whale watching activity.
They said that their simple livelihood will be affected by politics panning out as the controversy thickens.
They further said that if the operations will be halted, they have no clue on where they could eke a livelihood,
Fishing is not really an option, as the weather is very unstable and more than a hundred persons will lose jobs if the operations of the whale watching will be halted.
It was said that there are some people who used to be unemployed in the said barangay who gained employment because of the tourist attraction.
To recall, Dauis Mayor Roman Bullen issued a provisional permit to the firm to operate whale watching activity.
SP okays awards for local legislators
Aldner Damalerio
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has approved in third and final readng the ordinance institutionalizing the annual Provincial Legislative Awards, aiming to recognize outstanding local legislators in the province.
Board member Aldner Damalerio said, in a radio interview on Thursday, that the measure seeks to recognize the local Sanggunians if they are able to come up with pieces of legislation that are research-based, issue-driven and could help solve problems that affect the people.
Damalerio said the cash award for the winner is P100,000 for the outstanding Sanggunian in Bohol, he said.
Damalerio said there are two categories in the awards. The first category is for first and second class municipalities and the second category is for third to fifth class towns.
He wants the Sanggunians to be aware of the awards and to start crafting laws that are exemplary and outstanding.
A committee will be established to evaluate the performance of each Sanggunian and will be looking at laudable pieces of legislation by providing due recognition to their dedication and hard work as legislators,
Damalerio said that the Tagbilaran City council is going to get a special recognition as it is the only city in Bohol and does not have any competitor.
Balilihan police nab SLI drug suspect
The Balilihan drug enforcement team arrested a street-level individual (SLI) in an operation on Wednesday.
The police were monitoring the suspect who is allegedly engaging in illegal drug trade.
The police set up the sting operation in barangay Cabad in Balilihan.
The suspect was identified as Roy Joseph Tiongson Jorillo, 25, of barangay Rosariohan, Batuan.
Taken from the suspect’s possession were an estimated three grams of alleged shabu worth at least P20,000.
The suspect has been taken into custody and may face charges of violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Motorist killed after colliding into causeway gutter
A motorist was killed after he collided into the gutter at the causeway area at barangay Totolan, Dauis on Thursday.
As of press time, the victim has yet to be identified as his face was shattered beyond recognition.
The said motorist died on the spot after meeting an accident early in the morning of Jan. 30, 2025.
Initial investigations revealed that the motorist was travelling from Totolan, Dauis towards Tagbilaran City.
It was reported further that the vehicle overshot the pathway and it collided into the gutter at the curved area of the causeway near the police outpost,
The driver was not wearing a helmet while driving the motorcycle, reports say.
Police were unable to retrieve any identification document in the possession of the victim.
Police are looking into tracing the person who is the registered owner of the motorcycle and ask the public for any information about the identity of the victim.
Albur has no plans to halt whale watching
The local government unit (LGU) of Albur said it has no plans to halt the whale watching activity, which has proven to be a huge income generating source.
Mayor Don Ritchie Buates said he respects the opinion of people opposed to the whale watching activity but the activity helps spur the tourism industry and provides livelihood to locals.
Buates supports other areas where there are similar attractions and even proposed that the activity should also be done in island barangays in the province.
This comes as some sectors call for the stoppage of such activity across Bohol.
Tagbilaran Baywatch, led by Tagbilaran bishop Alberto Uy and lawyer Gigi Biliran sent a letter to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) requesting an investigation in relation to the increased number of whale watching across the province. Aside from Albur, other areas in Bohol where there are whale watching activities are in Lila and in Dauis.
The environment group is asking to stop the whale watching in the entire province.
Aside from Albur, other areas in Bohol where there are whale watching activities are in Lila and in Dauis.
The environment group is asking to stop the whale watching in the entire province.
Some Dauis SB members mull legal action vs. Bullen re whale watching
Some members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Dauis are mulling to take legal action against Mayor Roman Bullen if the latter will not take any action against the alleged illegal whale watching operations in barangay Catarman.
As this developed, Bullen stands firm that the permission he gave to allow the operation of the whale watching has legal basis.
Bullen’s executive order provided a provisional opportunity for a private firm to operate the whale watching activity in the said town.
The said order prompted the members of the town council to probe the issue, as it is alleged that the operation is going on without a business permit.
It was also learned the operator allegedly collects payments from whale watchers even without a business permit.
Coun. Violy Dano said such executive order poses a disadvantage to the local government unit (LGU) as the process was allegedly not followed.
It has been alleged the operation may not be remitting the fair share of the LGU in taxes.
Dano said if the situation will continue, it is possible legal action will be taken by some Dauis councilors.
Dano said taking legal action may be the last recourse that will be taken to remedy the situation.
According to Bullen it is normal for Bohol Wonders Site and Recreational Services to collect fees even without a business permit in order to finance the operations and to pay for wages of personnel.