Marchel P. Espina

Binalbagan PNPThree people, including a man who just got out of jail, were killed in separate shooting incidents in Negros Occidental in the past two days.Killed on March 27 at San Isidro Street, Barangay San Pedro in Binalbagan was 20-year-old Allen Rivera, who was just released from Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Binalbagan District Jail through plea bargaining.Based on a police report, Rivera was walking in front of the Alternative Learning School (ALS) building with his brother Arman and mother Marlin when he was attacked by two unidentified persons, who alighted from a gray vehicle, from behind.The suspects wore bonnets and their vehicle had no plate number.The victim’s mother and brother were able to run for cover.Rivera was brought to Binalbagan Infir...

RPDEU-6More than P800,000 worth of illegal drugs were seized and 10 suspects, including two high-value individuals, were arrested in separate drug bust operations in Negros Occidental.In Bacolod City, the joint buy-bust operation at the Carlos Hilado Highway, Marapara Heights in Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, on Saturday, March 27, led to the recovery of more than P700,000 worth of illegal drugs.Police identified the suspects as high-value individuals Mark John Tanique, 32, Rodel Vasques, 25, both of Zone 5, Talisay City, and street-level individual Dave Dumip-ig, 18, of Barangay 10, Bacolod.The suspects sold two sachets of drugs worth P28,500 to a police poseur buyer.The police also recovered 12 sachets of drugs worth P748,000, a motorcycle, and other belongings.The ...

3ID photoSoldiers involved in an encounter that left 10 alleged rebels dead in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, on March 23 received military merit medals.Soldiers from the 62nd Infantry Battalion, 33rd Division Reconnaissance Company (33DRC), and 16th Scout Ranger Company were commended for the meritorious acts they displayed that resulted in the death of 10 suspected members of the New People’s Army, and the recovery of 11 high-powered firearms and subversive documents with high intelligence value.The rites held at the 62IB headquarters in Barangay Libas, Isabela, on March 25 was led by Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.“I want to congratulate all the troops involved for the display of bravery and heroism coupled with their...

The Department of Tourism in Western Visayas is reminding residents and tourists to observe the minimum health protocols against the coronavirus disease during the Lenten Season.In an advisory issued Friday, March 26, DOT-6 regional director Helen Catalbas said tourists and stakeholders are reminded to stay vigilant and to observe the minimum health and safety guidelines such as wearing face masks and shields, maintaining proper hygiene, and physical distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the region as more destinations reopen for travel.DOT-6 also encourages all tourism enterprises and entities to practice contactless transactions particularly in triage centers where guests need to fill out health declaration forms to comply with health and safety protocols.Meanw...

3ID photoThe New People’s Army (NPA) honored their 10 comrades who were killed in an encounter with state troopers in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, this week.Ka Juanito Magbanua, spokesperson of the NPA’s Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, said in a statement released Friday, March 26, that those who died were considered martyrs.He said they are giving their highest revolutionary salute to Ka Troy, Ka Pido, Ka Diego, Ka Ayron, Ka Bong, Ka Jun, Ka Junas, Ka Mighty, Ka Jeck-Jeck and Ka J.K. for their courage and sacrifice when they encountered the army troopers.Their courage will serve as an inspiration to the poor masses to advance their cause, he said.“The dedication, courage, and sacrifice of the many immortal heroes and martyrs of the revolution further ignited the bur...

PDEA photoOperatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Special Enforcement Team Region 6 arrested 12 suspects while more than P100,000 worth of drugs were seized in a buy-bust operation at Purok Star Apple in Barangay 27, Bacolod City, Thursday, March 25.Those arrested were identified as suspected drug maintainer Cristina Tovero, freight den maintainer Jeyciprey Juarez, Jake De-Asia, Nathaniel Ledesma, Mico Mapare, Mark Anthony Perez, Jimboy Jacildo, Bobby Go, Norvin Dorable, Ellen Fernandez, Rene Bayona, and Angie Glimada.During the raid, PDEA operatives also seized about 15 grams of suspected shabu worth P102,000, the buy-bust money, and drug paraphernalia.The suspects will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of...

The Guihulngan police conduct a dialog with the rescued families who were affected by the firefight between government forces and rebels this week.*Guihulngan PNP photoSixty-eight residents have fled from their homes after they were caught in the crossfire between state forces and rebels during their encounter at Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, early this week.Guihulngan Mayor Carlo Juan Reyes, in a statement sent Thursday, March 25, by his office to the Philippine Army, commended the skills and bravery of the soldiers and the police in neutralizing the alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the March 23 clash that led to the deaths of 10 guerilla fighters and arrest of two suspected rebels.The mayor said that 68 evacuees were given shelter by ...

BCPO photoA suspected arms dealer was killed in a joint police entrapment operation after he allegedly resisted arrest at Manville Subdivision in Barangay Pahanocoy, Bacolod City early Thursday, March 25.Killed was Aljohn “Jimboy” Cabalhin, 31, of Purok Seaside, Barangay Tangub.The suspect sold a .45 caliber pistol to a poseur buyer for P2,000, but when he was about to hand the firearm, he noticed that he was actually dealing with a policeman and opened fire, the police report showed.The suspect was killed when the cop returned fire. No policeman was hurt.Recovered from the suspect were one homemade .45 caliber pistol with cartridge and magazine loaded with four ammunition, one homemade .380 caliber pistol with one cartridge and magazine loaded with six ammunition, one ...

303rd IB photoTwo more suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with state troopers in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, on Tuesday, March 23, bringing the death toll to 10.Maj. Cenon Pancito III, public affairs office chief of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said the soldiers are still conducting pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels, who withdrew towards the northwest direction of Sitio Agit in Barangay Trinidad.Soldiers who scoured the area found two more dead bodies Wednesday, March 24, he said, adding that they could have been wounded from the firefight and died.Pursuing soldiers also captured two suspected rebels who were hiding in the vicinity, he said.Pancito identified the arrested persons as Jojo Sa...

Eight alleged members of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed in a clash with state troopers at Sitio Agit, Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental Tuesday, March 23.Maj. Cenon Pancito III, public affairs office chief of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said government soldiers encountered the 40 rebels at about 12:55 p.m. after they went to the area following reports of the presence of armed men.The firefight lasted for three hours and the rebels withdrew towards the northwest direction, he said.The soldiers recovered 11 high-powered firearms - six M-16 rifles, two M-14 rifles, one M60 submachine gun, and one KG9 submachine gun, Pancito said.Also recovered from the scene were two M-14 magazines with ammunition, two landmines, two backpacks, ...