Carla P. Gomez

Berlita Ante, Noli Rosales, Fr. Melvin Fajardo, Hayme Alegre and Avon Ang (l-r) at a press conference on Friday.*The Human Rights Advocates in Negros (HRAN) on Friday called on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to conduct an immediate, transparent, and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing of a community journalist in Toboso, Negros Occidental, to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.RJ Ledesma, a writer and editor for Paghimutad – Negros Island Alternative Media, was one of 19 people killed in an encounter between the 79th Infantry Battalion and the New People's Army (NPA) in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, on Sunday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said."No amount of black propaganda can obscure the truth: Ledesma was...

The five arrested alleged New People's Army members*Kalinaw News photoFive alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA), two of whom were suffering from gunshot wounds, were arrested during a warrant service operation along the Circumferential Road in Barangay Matab-ang, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) confirmed on Thursday.The group was involved in an armed encounter with the 79th Infantry Battalion in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on Sunday from which they had initially managed to escape, the PRO NIR said in a press statement.The five were among the NPA combatants in Toboso, Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said.The five, now under the custody of the Crimi...

The coffins of the Toboso casualties.*PRO NIR photoThe Apolinario Gatmaitan Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Thursday said while among the 19 killed in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on Sunday were small squad of revolutionary fighters, the rest were civilians and human rights advocates.The Philippine Army reported that 19 members of the NPA were killed in a series of encounters with the 79th Infantry Battalion in Toboso.All of those killed were armed combatants, Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, maintained on Thursday.“If they were civilians why were in the area bearing arms?” he asked.Dumosmog said so far they have recovered 25 firearms from the encounter sites in Toboso.They recovered eight low powered firearms and 17 high po...

Plants for sale at the Panaad*The sale of ornamental plants at the Panaad Park in Brgy Mansilingan, Bacolod City, has been extended for another week, Negros Occidental OIC Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola said on Thursday, April 23.After the Panaad sa Negros Festival ended on April 19, the Ornamental Farmers Association of Negros Occidental members asked to be allowed to extend their stay until April 26.Genzola said with less traffic at Panaad Park after festival more people can drive to area to buy the plants, she said.They are promoting the sale of ornamental plants as part of the push to reactivate the cutflower industry in Negros, Genzola said.*

 Five alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested during a warrant service operation along Circumferential Road, Barangay Matab-ang,  Talisay City, Negrpos Occidental,  7:05 p.m. Wednesday, the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said today.The group was previously involved in an armed encounter with the 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on Sunday  from which they had initially managed to escape, the PRO NIR said.Operatives were serving an arrest warrant for attempted murder against a suspect identified as alias “Glem” when four additional individuals were apprehended after being found in possession of firearms and explosives, it said. Some of the suspects reportedly had visible body wounds. ...

Alyssa Alano and RJ Nichole Ledesma*A University of the Philippines Diliman student council leader and a Paghimutad - Negros Island Alternative Media writer and editor have been identified as among the 19 killed in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on Sunday.Killed was Paghimutad writer and editor RJ Nichole Ledesma, who was a graduate of the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City, Altermidya Network confirmed Wednesday afternoon, April 22.The UP Diliman University Student Council also confirmed the death of USC Councilor Alyssa Alano “while on a community visit in Toboso, following alleged indiscriminate strafing from the Armed Forces of the Philippines" on Sunday.The USC said it is calling for justice for Alano “who was there to learn about the conditions of the communit...

Maj. Gen. Michael G. Samson, Commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, conferred the Wounded Personnel Medal on a soldier who was injured in an encounter with the New People's Army in Toboso on Sunday.*The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) has activated a Special Investigation Task Group to establish the identities of bodies recovered following a series of “encounters” in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on Sunday.Through forensic examination, documentation, and coordination with local government units and relatives, the task group aims to provide a formal accounting of the deceased, a PRO NIR statement said on Wednesday, April 22.The Philippine Army earlier said that 19 alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed during a series of encounters wit...

Residents inspects what is left of their homes agter the fire.* Richard Caballero photoAn overheated electric fan triggered the fire that hit 32 houses at Purok Ramon Magsaysay Dawis in Brgy. 14, Bacolod City, Bacolod Fire Marshal Jenny Mae Masip said on on Wednesday, April 22.The fire on Tuesday afternoon started from the second floor of the house of Regie Doronila, she said.Masip described the neighborhood as a "red zone," where the proximity of the structures allowed flames to spread rapidly.She also said that the emergency response was significantly hampered by a lack of access roads, which prevented firetrucks from reaching the immediate vicinity of the fire.Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga, Bacolod Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) head, said va...

Cheryl Decena*Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Wednesday, April 22, reassigned Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Cheryl Decena to the Provincial Veterinary Office - Farm Management Division, stationed at the Negros First Ranch in Brgy. Sta. Rosa, Murcia.Lacson issued the reassignment order following Decena’s return on Wednesday from a six month suspension.She has been reassigned to support of the province's agro-tourism development initiatives, the order said.“This reassignment shall not involve any diminution in rank, status, salary, or tenure,” he said.She has been tasked to undertake planning, coordination, promotion, administration, and implementation of agro-tourism programs and projects at the Negros First Ranch. She will report to Dr. Placeda ...

In a desperate bid to save their homes, residents climbed onto rooftops and organized a bucket relay to help douse the flames.*BFP photoA massive fire razed 37 houses in Brgy. 14, Bacolod City, on Tuesday afternoon, April 21, leaving 307 residents homeless.  The fire displaced 103 families with 307 members from Purok Ramon Magsaysay  Dawis, Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga, Bacolod Department of Social Services and Development head, said Tuesday night.She said based on the initial count  27 houses were destroyed and 10 were damaged, but the number is likely to be higher.A final count will be made on Wednesday morning, she said.Bacolod Fire Marshal Jenny Mae Masip  said the blaze that broke out at past 3 p.m. originated from the house of Regie Doronila...