Marchel P. Espina

The crash in Calatrava town Friday, November 11, claimed the lives of three people.*Calatrava PNP photoThree women were killed while 36 others, including high school students and elementary pupils, were injured after the overloaded public utility vehicle they were riding on crashed into a tree at Barangay Malatas, Calatrava town, Negros Occidental, on Friday, November 11.Killed were Rutchell Visitacion, 32, of Barangay Malatas; Elma Baynosa, 72, of Barangay Hilub-ang; and Aranita Agravante, 63, of Barangay Hinab-ongan.Visitacion's seven-month-old baby boy sustained injuries and is still under observation. He was referred to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.The injured passengers were brought to the Calatrava Municipal Hospital.Ma...

Philippine National Police chief, General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., cited some personnel of the Bacolod City Police Office for their meritorious accomplishments in the performance of their duty during an awarding ceremony held at the Police Regional Office-6 in Camp Delgado, Iloilo City, on Thursday, November 10.Maj. Joery Puerto, Police Station 8 chief, and Lt. Joven Mogato, Bacolod City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) head, were pinned the Medalya ng Kadakilaan (PNP Distinguished Conduct Medal) by Azurin.Also given the same medals were SSg. Jimedel Dellonardo, SSg. Roberto Jiballa Jr., SSg. Frederick Fronda and SSg. Jefferson Nueva for their significant accomplishments during the different drug buy-bust operations in Bacolod City.The PNP chief congratulated the awardees and expressed ...

The police seizing drugs and a grenade in EB Magalona.*NOCPPO photoMore than P400,000 worth of drugs and a grenade were seized during a police operation at Hacienda Banilad 1, Brgy. Nanca, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, on Friday, November 11.Nabbed was 34-year-old Michael Bermejo, who was the subject of a search warrant issued on November 8.Recovered from his possession were 60 grams of suspected shabu worth P408,000 and a grenade.The suspect is now in the custody of the EB Magalona police and will face charges for illegal possession of drugs and an explosive.Meanwhile, a high-value individual identified as Oscar Ogahayon, 44, was arrested in a drug bust operation in Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City, on Thursday, November 10.The suspect yielded 15 grams of suspec...

Four people, including two teenagers, were apprehended in a drug buy-bust operation at Barangay 2, Bacolod City, Wednesday, November 10.Nabbed were Reeben Omega, 20, and Joemarie Magbanua, 22, while the names of the two teenagers, aged 15 and 17, were withheld by the police.They yielded 10 grams of suspected shabu worth P68,000, the P500 marked money, and P500 in cash.The four suspects who are in the custody of Police Station 2 are now facing drug charges.*

The recovered drugs in San Carlos City on Tuesday.*San Carlos PNP photoTwo street-level individuals were arrested in a drug bust at New Era Street, Brgy. 4 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, Tuesday, November 8.Nabbed were Kane Sabellano, 22, and Michael Bacus, 27.Their arrest came after they sold suspected shabu to a police poseur buyer.Recovered from their possession were 7.2 grams of shabu worth P48,960, a coin purse, lighter, and the P800 buy-bust money.The suspects are now in the custody of San Carlos police, facing drug charges.*

The Bacolod SP session was held online as some councilors are self-isolating after being close contacts of Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez who tested positive for COVID-19.*The city government is expected to check the fuel pumps of all gasoline stations in Bacolod for proper calibration.The resolution requesting the City Treasurer’s Office Licensing Division and Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to strengthen the inspection, testing, calibration, and sealing of fuel pumps in all gas stations in the city was approved during the Sangguniang Panlungsod regular session on Wednesday, November 9.The measure, authored by Councilor Kalaw Puentevella, said the government shall protect the public against deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales, acts and practices.All retail outlets sh...

Authorities consolidate Bacolod City’s drugs watchlist.*PIO photoThe Bacolod City Anti-Drug Abuse Council led the consolidation of the watchlist of illegal drug personalities in the city on Tuesday, November 8, at Balay Silangan, Barangay Singcang-Airport.With them were officials of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-6 (PDEA-6).PDEA provincial officers, chief intelligence police non-commission officers and police-community relations officers from all 10 police stations of the city counterchecked and consolidated local, regional, and national watchlists with the aim of having a coordinated and efficient drug clearing operation, especially at the barangay level.The participating law enforcement agencies and offices identified the stat...

The recovered drugs in Barangay Alijis, Bacolod City, Tuesday.*BCPO photoA barangay kagawad and her companion were arrested in a drug bust operation at Alijis-Taculing Road, Barangay Alijis, Bacolod City, on Tuesday, November 8.Nabbed were Barangay Alijis Kagawad Abby Araneta, 28, and Freely Aldas, 39, of Barangay Mansilingan.Both were tagged by the police as high-value individuals.They were caught selling suspected shabu to a police poseur buyer in exchange for marked money.Confiscated from Araneta were 14 sachets of suspected shabu, the P5,000 buy-bust money, a cellphone, a sling bag, and P700 in cash believed to be cash proceeds.The recovered drugs have an estimated weight of 201 grams with a standard drug price of P1,366,800.The arrested persons are now lock...

The injured laborer who was hacked in Himamaylan City, Sunday, November 6.*Himamaylan PNP photoA laborer from Brgy. Mahalang, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, was injured after he was hacked by a fellow laborer on Sunday, November 6.The victim was identified as 33-year-old Jeoffrey Bandola.Police said the victim and his wife were standing on the side of the road in front of their house when he was allegedly attacked by the suspect, identified by the police as Ryan Cortez, with a bolo.The victim sustained injuries on his lower back and was brought to Governor Valeriano M. Gatuslao Memorial Hospital.The suspect fled after the incident.Police are still investigating the motive for the hacking.*