Fisherman nabbed in buy bust operation in Sevilla
A fisherman from Dauis was arrested in a buy bust operation on Feb. 17, 2025 in barangay town.
Elements from the Sevilla municipal drug enforcement unit detected the suspect who was allegedly engaging in illegal drug trade.
The police then conducted a sting operation to arrest the suspect identified as Benjie Dulalas, 42, of barangay Catarman, Dauis.
The suspect was arrested after he transacted with a poseur buyer.
Seized from the suspect were alleged shabu estimated to weigh about 0.60 grams and valued at P1,088.
Charges of violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 await the suspect.
Suspected cellphone snatcher falls promptly
Prompt action led to the arrest of a suspected cellphone snatcher who allegedly grabbed a mobile phone in front of Tagbilaran City Hall, on the evening of Feb.16, 2025.
The suspect was arrested promptly and was identified as a certain Maek Christian Avenido, of Enerio St., barangay Poblacion 3.
Based on initial investigation, the suspect allegedly snatched a cellphone from a lady who was walking along JA Clarin street in front of City Hall. The suspect fled with the cellphone but the victim chased him while hollering for help.
Several concerned citizens responded to the lady’s cry for help and cornered the suspect at a dead end alley near a bank at JA Clarin.
However, while waiting for the police, the suspect managed to escape.
The police then launched a follow-up operation and scanned the closed circuit television cameras and was able to identify the suspect.
It was learned that the suspect had a previous brush with the law involving drugs.
The police then launched a hot pursuit operation that led to the arrest of the suspect near a convenience store at JA Clarin St. also on the same night.
Authorities were able to recover the stolen item, which was worth around P5,000.
The suspect was charged with robbery with the use of force.
Man arrested in Lila for alleged drug trade
Elements of the Lila drug enforcement unit arrested a man for alleged drug trade following a drug buy bust early Wednesday morning in barangay Taug.
The police detected the suspect identified as Carl Celis of allegedly engaging in illegal drug trade.
Celis, 26, is a resident of barangay Cogon in Tagbilaran City and was arrested after he engaged with a poseur buyer.
Seized from the suspect were six packets of alleged shabu valued at P5,644 .
The pieces of evidence were submitted to the Crime Laboratory for forensic examination.
The suspect may face charges of violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Police arrest fisherman for feeding whale sharks
The Maritime Police arrested a fisherman who allegedly was caught feeding whale sharks in Albur town, according to reports on Feb. 19, 2025.
Police identified the suspect as a certain Teodoro Miculob, 61, of Pamilacan Island, a fisherman and also employee of a whale shark activity operator in Albur.
Police said the suspect was caught during a routine patrol on the waters of Albur based on information received alleging that whale shark feeding is still being practiced in the area.
The whale watching and feeding have been disallowed across Bohol by the Capitol.
It was said that the police caught the suspect feeding the whale sharks using tiny shrimps called oyap.
Around five kilos of tiny shrimps were taken from the suspect who was brought to the headquarters of the Maritime Police for booking and was informed that he violated a provincial ordinance that regulated marine life interaction that was passed in 2000.
DOLE to extend aid to displaced whale shark watching workers
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Central Visayas promised to extend aid to displaced workers of whale watching activity in Bohol, according to reports.
To recall, several workers in the towns of Dauis, Albur and Lila lost their jobs after the Capitol disallowed the whale watching activity across Bohol early this month.
According to reports, Roberto Cabardo of the DOLE Central Visayas said that currently the agency is conducting validation and evaluation by the local DOLE Bohol the information received to be used for the profiling of workers of the discontinued whale watching activities in Lila and Albur.
Moreover, Dauis already submitted a list of workers of the whale watching activity in the said town, reports add.
However, the said list submitted by Dauis is now under evaluation, the DOLE official said.
The evaluation is needed to ensure every worker gets the necessary aid.
The evaluation ensures the workers are qualified to get aid, the official stated.
After the validation, the DOLE will then determine what kind of aid to provide for the displaced workers, the DOLE said.
BPPO stamps out gun ban violations
The Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) has continued in its mission to curb violators of the gun ban implemented by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
To recall, no person is allowed to carry firearms during the election period, ending on June 11, 2025, except those who are given exemptions by the Comelec or those who are members of the law enforcement agencies who are allowed to carry guns by the poll body.
Based on the latest data as of Feb. 18, 2025, there have been 21 police operations related to gun ban violations including eight police operations that resulted in gun ban violation arrests, and a serving a warrant of arrest to a wanted person for alleged possession of loose firearm.
There are 24 total firearms confiscated where 23 are small firearms, and one light weapon with 85 rounds of ammunition.
About 23 persons have been arrested in relation to gun ban violation as the police urged the public to report any suspicious activity that may be related to gun ban violations.
The police remain steadfast in its mission to maintain peace and order during the election period.
Probe is on for possible ASF case in Panglao
A probe has been launched for the possible African Swine Fever (ASF) infection affecting a barangay in Panglao town.
This comes as about 16 hogs allegedly died on Feb. 13, 2025 as the succeeding rapid test showed the said hogs tested positive for ASF.
The blood samples will be subjected to a confirmatory test.
The probe is now focused on the index case and how the possible ASF may have spread in barangay Tangnan.
The affected hogs are owned by two raisers in the said town, according to a report.
Reports add that the affected hogs showed symptoms that may be consistent with an ASF infection.
The search for the index case is on and being investigated by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV).
It was floated that the index case was a swine belonging to another herd apart from the herds of the two affected hog growers.
It was also possible that when the index case showed symptoms, it was culled and the carcass was allegedly sold or disposed of improperly.
Bohol has been struggling to contain the ASF problem with at least eight towns already affected since last year as some of them are already successful in containing the spread of the infection.
Bohol has a P6 billion worth of hog industry where majority of the hog raisers are backyard or small-scale operations.
Tubigon residents show support for Chatto’s reelection bid
The residents of Tubigon expressed support for the reelection bid of first district congressman Edgar Chatto.
The expression of support came during the 3rd general assembly of the of the Tubigon island and mainland homeowners association at the Tubigon gym on Feb. 18, 2025.
Chatto personally attended the said meeting of the homeowners association as the members passed a resolution expressing support for Chatto.
The members also tackled various issues during the general assembly, according to Chatto’s top aide, lawyer Abel Damalerio.
Damalerio said the members of the association passed a manifesto of support for Chatto as they want the solon to continue in his service as first district congressman.
Moreover, Damalerio said Chatto managed to secure P50 million in funding for the relocation of island residents affected by the earthquake and climate change where sea level rise impacted living conditions of island residents.
These affected island residents need to be relocated in areas on the mainland Bohol to improve living conditions.
The expression of support is a way to reciprocate the effort of the solon in the resettlement efforts, Damalerio said.
Damalerio said the implementation of the resettlement program will be done by phases and the local government unit of Tubigon plays an important role in the implementation.
Fire erupts in Panglao
A fire erupted in Panglao early Wednesday morning, razing a home in the said town.
According to Fire Marshall Raul Bustaliño, the fire took place in barangay Doljo and the affected home was owned by a certain Joel Cleman.
Initial investigation revealed that an open flame may have caused the fire, when a stove was left unattended.
The fuel used in the stove allegedly burst into flames and the fire spread quickly, the report added.
There were no casualties reported from the incident.
The damage to property is being assessed as of this writing.
Drug suspect arrested in Tagb
A drug suspect was arrested by the authorities in a buy bust operation in barangay Poblacion 1, Tagbilaran City on Feb. 17, 2025.
The city drug enforcement unit arrested the suspect identified as Richmond Talaboc, 36, of barangay Catarman, Dauis.
The city police anti-drug unit detected the suspect to be allegedly engaging in the illegal drug trade and conducted a sting operation.
Taken from the suspect’s possession were two large packets of alleged shabu estimated to weigh 55 grams and worth P374,000.
The sting operation was led by Tagbilaran police chief Lt. Col. John Kareen Escober and the sting operation was witnessed by barangay officials and the media.
The suspect may be facing charges of violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Two persons allegedly cause alarm, scandal
Two persons were the subject of a complaint for alarm and scandal after they allegedly opened fire using firearms in Ubay town on Feb. 17, 2025,
The two suspects were identified as Nestor Coret, 33 and Julito Compedio, 38, both of barangay Gabi, Ubay.
Authorities seized from the suspects firearms allegedly used in the incident. Each of them allegedly possessed .39 caliber revolver.
Based on initial investigation, the two suspects engaged in a drinking spree and allegedly, all of a sudden , opened fire using their firearms.
The gunshots caused alarm and scandal plus fear among residents of the area where the hell incident happened.
A concerned citizen reported the incident to the police as the authorities caught the two in possession of the said firearms, and they were unable to show licenses to carry firearms.
The suspects may face charges of illegal possession of firearms and violation of the election gun ban.
Bullen meets tricycle industry stakeholders to solve woes, issues
Dauis mayor Roman Bullen met with stakeholders to discuss the issue of colorum tricycles or those that operate without proper authorization or permits in the said town.
The mayor made the pronouncement on the issue during his guest appearance in the radio program Open Forum on Wednesday with Ardy Araneta Batoy.
The mayor met the tricycle operators on Feb. 20, 2025 to find solutions to the issues they are facing.
The mayor noted that there is an oversupply of units, as he said the number of tricycles is more than enough to serve the volume of passengers in Dauis.
The mayor said that aside from tricycles, the multicabs and motorcycle taxis also fulfil the transport needs of Dauisanons.
There are 275 units of tricycle and tricabs that are registered and an unknown number of colorum vehicles plying routes within Dauis, the mayor said.
Legal tricycle operators complain about the colorum vehicles as it is unfair for them to have competition from illegal units, according to Bullen.
Bullen said that the unregistered tricycle owners were told that 125 new franchises will be issued. The information, according to the mayor, was relayed by the leaders of the tricycle association as the owners are in a quandary whether or not to apply for the alleged newly-issued franchises.
Bullen clarified that the issuance of new franchises is a function of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB).
It was estimated that 400 units are without franchises as the rumored number of new franchises to be issued is only 125, the mayor relayed.
The mayor was told that allegedly there is favouritism involved in the granting and issuance of new franchises.
There are talks that the issuance of franchises may be tied to politics.
The meeting was set to solve the issue as the supply of tricycles is more than the demand.
Moreover, there is another issue regarding the inconvenience of passengers going to other places outside Dauis as tricycles registered in Dauis are not allowed to pick up passengers in Tagbilaran if they happen to transport passengers from Dauis.
This has sparked inconvenience among passengers and the mayor shared the frustration but the solution is in the hands of the policymakers.
Piollo understands wisdom behind whale watching closure
Lila mayor Arturo Jed Piollo stated he understands Capitol’s wisdom to order the closure of the whale watching activity across Bohol.
Lila is among the towns in Bohol where the attraction used to be available. The other towns are Albur and Dauis with similar attractions.
Piollo spoke on Wednesday to Ardy Araneta-Batoy about the closure of the attraction, which has been a source of income for the local government unit (LGU).
He said the idea to stop the attraction was borne out of the observation that it has been abusing nature.
As a UNESCO geopark, local leaders are obligated to protect the environment and too much engagement with the whale sharks may cause undue harm to nature and to the animals themselves.
The feeding caused odor that has bothered other people who are near the attraction area and thus the need to tone down the attraction, he said.
Early this month, Gov. Aris Aumentado issued an executive order disallowing whale watching activity including the feeding of these whales in Bohol.
He said the closure meant that everyone engaged in the activity will have to make a sacrifice for the benefit of the province.
Piollo said it is important to preserve the tourism industry as Bohol has limited economic drivers.
Drug suspect arrested in Panglao
A suspected drug pusher was arrested in Panglao town where alleged drugs and firearms were seized by authorities.
Elements of the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) arrested the suspect Wednesday afternoon following a buy bust operation that took place in barangay Danao.
The suspect was identified as a certain Jonathan Remedio, 30, of barangay Dagohoy, Bilar.
The suspect works as a driver for a restaurant in Panglao, the report says.
The anti-illegal drugs operation detected the suspect to be allegedly engaging in the illegal drug trade.
The suspect was arrested after transacting with a poseur buyer.
Seized from the suspect was alleged shabu worth P20,400, and a firearm.
The suspect will be facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Man dies in road accident in Panglao
A man died after he figured in an accident in barangay Libaong, Panglao on Wednesday evening.
The man was on board his vehicle when it rammed on a post.
The victim was identified as Lawrence Bongalos, 29, of barangay Dao, Dauis.
Initial investigation showed the victim was travelling from barangay Bolod, Panglao, to Dauis and when he arrived at Libaong, the vehicle rammed onto the electric post.
The post fell causing power interruption as the vehicle reportedly turned turtle, trapping the victim.
It was said that Bongalos was driving too fast and the road was slippery as it was wet due to the rains.
The victim was brought to the hospital but eventually expired.
Ordinance aiming to honor Sangguniang officials vetoed
Gov. Aris Aumentado has vetoed the proposed ordinance that aims to honor selected officials of various Sanggunian across the province.
The ordinance that was authored by first district board member Aldner Damalerio seeks to provide commendation to exemplary town or city legislature.
The ordinance also calls for a cash prize for the winners ranging from P25,000 to P100,000, and a plaque to officials under the legislative branch.
Aumentado said that there are a lot of towns where the mayor is not in speaking terms with the vice mayor or with councilors; and this may cause issues in performance and in turn give advantage to towns where there is executive-legislative harmony.
BM Damalerio files anti-pranking ordinance
Board member Aldner Damalerio has filed an anti-pranking ordinance to curb prank calls to emergency responders.
The measure has been passed on first reading and will be tackled in the coming regular session for second reading.
Damalerio said that TaRSIER 117 has been getting a lot of prank calls from unscrupulous individuals.
There have been incidents where TaRSIER 117 would deploy ambulances only to find out that it was a prank, Damalerio said.
The said ordinance will cover other institutions against pranksters such as hospitals and other similar institutions, he explained.
Mereover, pranksters calling radio stations may be penalized under this proposed ordinance, he added.
The proposed ordinance also will protect law enforcement agencies from pranksters, he quipped.
Pranksters, he said, are wasting precious resources: hence, the proposed ordinance seeks to put a stop to pranking practices.
If the proposed ordinance will become operational, then the victims of pranks could now file cases against the pranksters moving forward, he said.
Certain penalties await the violators once the proposed ordinance becomes effective, Damalerio noted.
Damalerio said individuals who got victimized by pranksters for content on social media may use the proposed ordinance to go after the perpetrators as long as the victim felt offended about the prank.
Bishop Uy asks faithful to pray for Pope Francis’ health
Tagbilaran bishop Alberto Uy has asked the Catholic faithful to pray for the health of Pope Francis.
Reports coming from the Vatican said that the Supreme Pontiff is having health issues due to pneumonia on both lungs.
Moreover, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Charles Brown appealed to Filipinos to pray for Pope Francis, who had been staying in the hospital for several days last week.
He said to pray also for those who are sick and have health issues.
Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said the faithful should organize community prayers for Pope Francis.
The Supreme Pontiff was advised to rest for his speedy recovery.