Marchel P. Espina

The city government of Himamaylan says it has been a challenge to bring assistance to the affected communities as their movement is limited for safety reasons.*CSWDO Himamaylan photoHimamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson said it has been a challenge to bring help to the community caught in the crossfire between the state troopers and rebels.The clashes between the soldiers and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, that started Thursday, October 6, have displaced thousands of residents, who have fled their homes. On the third day, October 9, two soldiers were killed, while six others were wounded.Tongson, in a phone interview Saturday night, October 8, said that they could not cover everyone on the ground as they are following the protocol...

Lightning strikes an acacia tree at the Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center in Brgy. Balingasag, Bago City, Sunday, October 9, injuring a football referee.*Aquilah Baja photoA football referee was injured after lightning struck an acacia tree at the Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center in Brgy. Balingasag, Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, October 9.Injured was Charlie Panes, 24, of Brgy. Lag-asan, Bago.Police said that after the lightning hit the acacia tree at the east portion of the new grandstand, it bounced to the football ground, where the victim was.Panes experienced cramps and difficulty of breathing and was brought to the Bago City Hospital for immediate treatment. He was in stable condition Sunday night.After the incident, the game was temporarily stopped by the o...

A motorcycle mechanic was arrested in a drug bust at Brgy Talubangi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Friday, October 7.Nabbed was Romy Ame, 36.He was caught in the act selling a sachet of suspected shabu to a police poseur buyer.Recovered from his possession were 20 grams of suspected shabu worth P136,000, the P1,000 buy-bust money, a sling bag, and a coin purse.The suspect is now in the custody of the Kabankalan police and facing drug charges.*

The drug recovery in the San Carlos City bust.*San Carlos PNP photoAn alleged former member of the Virtucio drug group is now detained after he was caught in a buy-bust operation in Brgy. 3, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, October 5.Nabbed was high-value target Jordan Alquizalas, 31, a former member of the Virtucio drug group, and his alleged runner, 54-year-old Cesar Pasilan, who was said to be a street-level individual.Recovered from them were 50 grams of suspected shabu worth P340,000, the P4,000 buy-bust money, and drugs paraphernalia.The suspects are now in police custody and are facing drug charges.*

The van of the cigarette firm employees who were robbed in Sipalay City.*A man who allegedly robbed two employees of a cigarette company at Barangay Nabulao in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, was arrested on Thursday, October 6.Nabbed was Richard Dalaguit, 38.The police said the victims were transacting with a client in a store when they were approached by three armed suspects who took their cash.The police arrested Dalaguit in a pursuit operation, while his two companions escaped.Recovered from the suspect were .38 caliber revolver with three live ammunition, and the P18,000 in cash.*

Soldiers figured in an encounter with the rebels in Himamaylan City on Thursday, October 6.*Aksyon Radyo Bacolod photoGovernment soldiers clashed with members of the New People’s Army at Sitio Sig-ang, Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, Thursday, October 6.The mayors of Himamaylan and Binalbagan have suspended classes in affected areas, and evacuations were reported.The encounter with 20 armed men believed to be members of NPA’s Central Negros 2 led to a 40-minute firefight.Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion were responding to the information on the alleged sightings of armed men in the area.No casualties were reported on the part of the Army.Pasaporte said the rebel...

More policemen will be deployed in the streets of Bacolod City to secure the ongoing MassKara Festival.*BCPO photoAt least 315 policemen are augmenting the security deployment for the ongoing MassKara Festival in Bacolod City.Col. Thomas Joseph Martir, Bacolod police director, received the augmentation personnel from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) and Police Regional Office (PRO-6), at the Bacolod City Police Office on Thursday, October 5.Of the 315 personnel, 26 are commissioned officers while 289 are non-commissioned officers.Most of the commissioned officers came from the NOCPPO and Iloilo Police Provincial Office, Lt. Col. Sherlock Gabana, BCPO public information officer, said.The augmentation personnel will be distributed to the different f...

The scene of the crime in Escalante City on Wednesday, October 5.*Escalante PNP photoA traffic enforcer was shot to death in front of a school in Barangay Alimango, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, Wednesday night, October 5.The victim was identified as Reymond Lucero, 46. He was supposed to fetch his wife, a teacher.The victim was about to park his motorcycle when the unidentified suspects on board two motorcycles suddenly shot him, a police report said.The police said that the motive for killing of the victim may be related to his work as a traffic enforcer.*

The accident at Barangay Taloc, Bago City on Tueday, October 4.*A motorcycle driver was killed after he was hit by a tricycle at the highway of Barangay Taloc in Bago City, Negros Occidental, Tuesday night, October 4.Killed was Joselito Selvano, 26, of Barangay Camugao, Kabankalan City.The motorcycle was hit by an incoming tricycle driven by Jhick Tabjusay, 37, of Barangay Sum-ag, Bacolod City, a police investigation report said.The tricycle driver, who also sustained injuries from the accident, reportedly failed to see the motorcycle.Selvano was declared dead at the hospital, while the passenger of the tricycle was unscathed .Tabjusay is currently detained at the Bago police station.*

Bacolod City Councilor Celia Flor visited the dog pound on Tuesday, October 4.*The help of Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez is being sought to address the dire situation at the city dog pound.Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved a resolution requesting the City Veterinary Office through Benitez to provide supplies to the Bacolod City Dog Pound such as food and water for the impounded dogs, and electricity and other needs, on Wednesday, October 5.The move was proposed by Councilor Celia Flor during the regular SP session.Flor, chair of SP committee on markets and slaughterhouse, said she went to the dog pound on Tuesday, October 4, with animal rights group Pawssion Project members and saw the dire situation at the facility, which currently houses 90 impo...