TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Samar Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone ordered the provincial police to step up security in Oras town following the brutal killing of a barangay captain early Tuesday morning, 06 January 2026.

Evardone said the murder of Barangay Captain Arnel Montallana sends an alarming message, noting that it is the third killing since mid‑last year and that it occurred in broad daylight.

Investigation reports show Montallana, captain of Barangay Tiguib, was stabbed multiple times with a short-bladed knife while riding his motorcycle after bringing his wife to their store.

Despite his injuries, the victim managed to dismount and seek help, but the suspect caught up with him and stabbed him again. Montallana was transported to Oras Doctors’ Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

The suspect was arrested during a hot-pursuit operation.

Evardone instructed Eastern Samar Provincial Police Office Provincial Director PCol. Ernesto Macasil to set up additional checkpoints in Oras and increase the municipal police manpower.

The governor also asked the Department of Interior and Local Government provincial office to activate barangay tanods to conduct roving patrols 24 hours a day, assuring residents of their security.

“The provincial government wants to assure our constituents that we are working to make Eastern Samar a safe and peaceful province,” Evardone said in a public address.

He recalled that during the campaign period on 01 May 2025, one of his supporters was shot dead in Barangay Paypayon in the same town.