Marchel P. Espina

La Carlota PNP photoA 40-year-old man was found dead in a sugarcane field in Barangay San Miguel, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, Friday morning, June 4.The victim was identified as Diovanie Bedonia of Barangay Ma-ao, Bago City.Residents heard gunshots the night before, but the police only recovered the body the following day, a police report said.The police have yet to establish the motive of the killing. They are still investigating the incident.*

A barangay kagawad in Dauin, Negros Oriental, was shot dead by unidentified suspects at Upper Maayongtubig on Thursday, June 3.Killed was Barangay Maayongtubig Kagawad Agustin Aragones, who was watering his plants when the unidentified assailants entered his home.The victim, who was shot at close range, sustained gunshot wounds to the head.He was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.Capt. Louie Batuto, town police chief, said they are eyeing a grudge, business, or politics as the motive for the killing.The killing came a month after Barangay Bagacay captain Stephen Alam was killed inside the village hall, also in Dauin.*

BCPO photoTwo men were killed inside a vehicle in a gun attack at a secluded area of the BREDCO port in Bacolod City Tuesday night, June 1.Killed were Dexter Bryan Ursos, 41, of Barangay 4; and Fernando Mahipos, 39, of Barangay 14, the police said.Also found in the vehicle was a 2-year-old girl, whose name was withheld by the police. She was unscathed and is now in the custody of authorities.Recovered from the scene were eight empty cases of fired cartridges, deformed slugs of a suspected .45 caliber pistol and .9mm caliber, and a metal fragment.Police probers also recovered a sachet of suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, P4,000 counterfeit money, and other personal belongings of the victims from the vehicle.The police have yet to establish the motive of the killin...

Four officials of the Moises Padilla government, including the vice mayor, have been on leave for three months now after they were allegedly tagged in the murder of Councilor Jolomar Hilario in March 2019.Warrants for the arrest of Vice Mayor Adrian Villaflor, councilors Vincent Garcia, Jose Morito Flores, and Jimmie Don Plaza, and several others were issued by La Carlota City Regional Trial Court Judge Cyclamen Jison Fernandez in February.The murder case is a non-bailable offense.In a statement issued Wednesday, June 2, Villaflor said that he was on official leave.“Contrary to the fake news and the lies being spread around, I am not in hiding. As a dedicated public servant in the town of Moises Padilla, my office continues to perform and fulfill the duties and responsibili...

Pontevedra PNP photoTwo persons on board a motorcycle died after they figured in an accident at a provincial road in Barangay Antipolo, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, early Tuesday, June 1.Killed were motorcycle driver Rene Montaño, 43, and back rider Omar Domingo, 35, both of Barangay Buenavista Rizal in Pontevedra.Their motorcycle swerved due to the slippery road, and was hit by a trailing truck, which was driven by Leomar Alvarez, 29, of Barangay Malingin, Bago City, a police report showed.The victims were brought to the town’s Rural Health Unit, where they were declared dead on arrival.The truck driver is now detained at the municipal police station.*

Police Station 1 photoA man was gunned down at Rosario Street in Barangay 38, Bacolod City, Monday night, May 31.Killed was Roue Senador of Barangay Alijis.The victim was on board his motorcycle when he was attacked by unidentified riding-in-tandem suspects.He succumbed to gunshot wounds after he was shot with an unknown firearm by the assailants several times.Recovered from the crime scene were the victim’s belongings and three fired cartridges of an unknown firearm.Police are still investigating the incident.*

PIA file photoThe Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) will observe a 12-day freeze and stay at home protocol to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus.In an advisory Tuesday, June 1, the school management said the new scheme will start effective June 2 to 13 to provide the faculty and staff with options to effectively address their mental health and wellness concerns, stop and prevent the cycle of local transmission of COVID-19, and for the safety and well-being of all.All campuses will be closed on June 3 to 6 and 11 to 13 for disinfection of offices, faculty rooms, workstations, and premises, while office heads, faculty, and staff will work from home on June 3, 4, and 11. Only a minimal skeleton crew will remain at work on campus, the advisory said.“While ...

Three men were killed, while two others, including a teenager, were injured in separate shooting incidents in Negros Occidental during the weekend.In Victorias City, Regie Loquinario and Jony Solatorio, both 34, were shot dead in a commotion with fellow farm workers following a drinking session at Hacienda Basa 2, Barangay 10, on Saturday, May 29.The shooting also wounded a 17-year-old boy, whose name was withheld by the police, and Ryan Certicio, 28, both residents of the village.In a follow-up operation, one of the five suspects, who also yielded a homemade gun, was arrested.The police are looking at a grudge as the motive of the incident.In another incident, 27-year-old Raymund Pasigado was killed in his residence at Barangay Sagasa, Bago City, Sunday night, May 30. ...

Photo from Joseph Celis FBThe National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) in Western Visayas has commended the EB Magalona police for its improvements, two weeks after some of its personnel were caught sleeping on the job following a surprise inspection.NAPOLCOM Region 6 director Joseph Celis again visited the EB Magalona Police Station on Saturday, May 29, and was upbeat with the development.“All duty personnel were present in the station,” he said.He was happy with the renovation work in the facility, noting the improvement to the roof and ceiling, newly painted walls, improve comfort rooms, and the planting of vegetables outside of the station, which was sponsored by the local government.On his May 14 visit to the EB Magalona police station, Celis said that there was “no d...

The Isabela municipal government in Negros Occidental is temporarily closing down its town hall for three days due to the rising cases of coronavirus in the locality.Mayor Irene Montilla, in Office Order No. 54-2021 dated May 28, said the suspension of office work will start from May 31 to June 2.Due to four new COVID-19 cases in the locality as reported by the Municipal Health Officer on May 28, two of whom are municipal employees from the Office of the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator and Office of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development, one Department of Education employee of Isabela National High School, and one from the Commission on Elections, the municipal hall be locked down, she said.She also said in the order that employees of offices and departmen...