P6 million aid delivered to Loon barangays
Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado has delivered P6 million in financial assistance to several barangays in the town of Loon, underscoring the provincial government’s continued support for grassroots development projects.
Aumentado personally handed over P600,000 to three barangays: Tiwi, Moto Sur and Tan-awan — each receiving P200,000 for road concreting projects. The funds were turned over to village chiefs Danila Fuerzas, Zenon Ceballos Jr., and Desideria Ramirez, respectively.
In Barangay Pondol, the governor turned over P1,445,429 for the construction of a Sangguniang Kabataan office and a multi-purpose building, following a request from Board Member Lawrence Ancla.
The check was received by Barangay Captain Gilbert Sevilla in the presence of Vice Governor Nicanor Besas and Board Members Lucille Lagunay and Ancla.
Another P590,000 was distributed to three other barangays: Ubayon, which received P200,000 for multi-purpose building improvements; Catagbacan Sur, P200,000 for evacuation center upgrades; and Ticugan, P190,000 for barangay equipment. The assistance was received by village chiefs Josiebel Corbita, Emalinda Veloso, and Lory Fe Jungco, respectively.
Aumentado was accompanied during the turnover by Besas, Ancla, and Lagunay.
Tagbilaran mayor vows zero tolerance on erring businesses
Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap has imposed a zero tolerance policy against establishments selling alcohol, vapes and cigarettes to minors, warning she will revoke their business permits without hesitation.
Yap said she would direct the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office to close any business proven to be selling prohibited products to minors.
“Once we catch them, we will automatically revoke the business permit,” she said in Bisaya, stressing she would not spare anyone.
The move came after a brawl on July 31, 2025, near the Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School involving minors, students and out-of-school youth.
Yap said evidence of selling such products to minors would be enough to justify revocation.
She led a mediation between the groups involved at her City Hall office, along with authorities.
After hours of talks, those involved apologized and pledged to avoid violence, while out-of-school youth denied earlier allegations of extortion as the cause of the fight.
In Panglao, a separate incident involving a foreigner went viral on social media after an alleged mauling inside a fast-food restaurant on August 3, 2025.
Police said not less than three people, including a foreigner, were involved in a brawl between two intoxicated groups.
No charges were filed as those involved declined to press cases.
Another melee, this time among van drivers, also drew online attention.
A van driver was injured after allegedly being attacked by two men at the Integrated Bus Terminal in Barangay Dao, Tagbilaran City, on August 1, 2025.
Police identified the victim as Manuel Ayuban of Barangay San Isidro, Tagbilaran, and the suspects as Ferdinand Paredo Jr. and Nico Brian Paredo, both from Villa Aurora, Antequera.
Tagbilaran police chief Lt. Col. John Kareen Escober said Ayuban had driven his van-for-hire from Ubay to Tagbilaran and saw the suspects allegedly taking passengers in Candijay using a private van.
When he tried to confront them, the suspects fled.
Escober said the suspects may have later harbored a grudge, waited for Ayuban in the city, kicked his van and then allegedly assaulted him.
Ayuban expressed intent to press charges against the suspects, who were accused of operating a colorum van.
Snakebite victim in Sikatuna survives after prompt treatment
A 24-year-old man was bitten by a venomous “ugahipon” snake in the town of Sikatuna, Bohol, late Friday afternoon, health authorities said.
Police identified the victim as Ivan Dennis Salupan, a resident of Barangay Poblacion 1.
Salupan told investigators he was digging soil near the outer wall of Sikatuna National High School at around 3:50 p.m. when a snake suddenly bit his left foot.
Realizing it was an “ugahipon” — a local term for a venomous species commonly found in rural and agricultural areas — Salupan ran from the spot and sat down.
Moments later, he began to feel numbness in his foot and was rushed to the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center in Tagbilaran City.
Doctors immediately administered anti-venom, and the victim is now in stable condition.
The incident comes amid warnings from health authorities and wildlife experts about increased snake activity during the rainy season, when flooding and habitat disturbance drive reptiles closer to human settlements.
In rural areas like Sikatuna, residents are urged to exercise caution when working in fields, near vegetation, or in areas with poor visibility to avoid snake encounters.
Bohol governor welcomes Central Luzon trade, investment partners
Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado on Friday warmly welcomed trade and investment partners from Central Luzon during their visit to the province, expressing optimism for stronger collaboration in trade, investments and tourism through the Subic-Clark partnership.
Aumentado described the meeting with tourism stakeholders as productive and thanked Subic-Clark Alliance executive director Atty. Amee Fabros for the visit.
He said many Boholanos are also interested in visiting destinations in Central Luzon and Northern Luzon, including Subic-Clark, Baguio, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bataan and Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte.
The governor stressed that the engagement opens opportunities to boost Bohol’s tourism and promote its unique attractions as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Wanted man from Bohol arrested in Cagayan de Oro
Police have arrested a man wanted in Bohol on multiple charges of lascivious conduct, officials said on Monday.
The suspect, identified as Hervy Jaculbe Magan, 22, of Barangay Anonang, Valencia, was detained in Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, in a joint operation by the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group and Valencia municipal police.
Authorities said Magan had been in hiding in Macabalan and was apprehended on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Samuel Biliran of Regional Trial Court Branch 50 in Loay, Bohol.
Police said he faces five counts of lascivious conduct and is now in custody.
Ex-convict arrested in Talibon drug sting
Police in Bohol arrested a former inmate in a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay Bagacay, Talibon, on August 2, authorities said Saturday.
The suspect, identified as Rosendo Vistal III, 27, of Barangay Poblacion in Getafe, was caught after allegedly selling drugs to an undercover officer, the municipal drug enforcement team said.
Officers seized 4.8 grams of suspected shabu, valued at about P32,640 pesos, from the suspect.
Police said Vistal had been arrested on drug charges in 2020 and 2024 and was released through a plea bargaining agreement.
Local officials and members of the media witnessed the inventory of the seized items.
Vistal faces new charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Police investigate fatal hacking in Batuan
Police are investigating a hacking incident that left one man dead and his son injured on Aug. 3, 2025 in Barangay Aloja, Batuan, Bohol.
Authorities said Veronico Minian died after sustaining multiple hack wounds, including to the head, while his son, identified only as Randy, survived and was taken to a hospital in Tagbilaran City.
The victims were attacked inside their home by two unidentified suspects, police said.
Minian was pronounced dead by a doctor from the Batuan Rural Health Unit.
Randy remains in stable condition and is receiving treatment, according to police.
Investigation into the motive and identity of the attackers is ongoing.
Abante Bohol denies reports of BPO closure
Abante Bohol, the political coalition led by Gov. Aris Aumentado, on Saturday denied reports that a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm operating in the province has shut down.
The denial came after Capitol critic Willy Ramasola claimed that Sagility, a BPO firm based at the old Tagbilaran City airport, had ceased operations due to financial difficulties.
In a statement, Abante Bohol said there is “no truth” to Ramasola’s allegations, adding that reports indicate the company is actively hiring new employees.
The group challenged Ramasola to present evidence supporting his claim.
Abante Bohol also urged the public to verify information before believing reports circulating on social media.
Ramasola, once a supporter of Aumentado, has recently been critical of the provincial administration.
He ran for first district board member under Abante Bohol’s slate in the last election but lost.
Allegations later surfaced that the coalition had “junked” him in favor of another candidate, which the group denied.