146 cops deployed to Leyte’s ‘troubled’ towns

PALO, Leyte — The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) has redeployed 146 police officers to several Leyte towns with a history of political violence.

The move, carried out on 13 February, is part of the “Pulis sa Barangay” program aimed at boosting police visibility, strengthening ties with communities, and stepping up anti-crime efforts at the grassroots level.

The deployment also comes as government agencies begin preparing for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections set on 2 November.

Leyte Police Provincial Office director P/Col Dionisio Apas Jr. said 112 officers were sent to the Third District towns of Leyte, Villaba, and Tabango. Another 34 were deployed to Kananga and Palompon in the Fourth District. Some were assigned as Quick Response Teams, while others were tasked with border control duties in Albuera.

Two other Third District towns, Calubian and San Isidro, have also seen political violence in the past but were not included in this round of deployment.

In previous elections, the Commission on Elections had flagged several of these towns because of killings and violence linked to partisan politics. During the May 2025 polls, Leyte, Calubian, San Isidro and Tabango were placed under the orange category for armed group presence, while Palompon, Villaba, and Albuera were under yellow due to a history of political unrest.

PRO-8 regional director P/BGen Jason Capoy said the redeployment is part of a continuing strategy to reinforce police presence and prevent crime. He said the goal is to ensure every barangay in Eastern Visayas feels the presence of the police, especially as the elections draw near.

Acting Northern Samar police director P/Col George Buyacao praised the operating units, saying the arrest shows strong coordination between police and military forces in going after wanted persons. He added that authorities will continue to track down fugitives and step up efforts to maintain peace and order in the province.