Marchel P. Espina

BCPO photoMembers of the Sangguniang Panlungsod have called on law enforcement agencies to investigate the spate of killings in Bacolod City.The resolution calling for the Bacolod City Police Office, the National Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and all other law enforcement offices in the city was passed in their regular session today, February 24. It was authored by lone opposition Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., chairman of SP committee on human rights.There have been at least seven shooting incidents that happened in the city in January alone and another six in February, Gamboa said.The latest incident was on Monday night, February 22, when a suspected robbery group member was gunned down inside his home at Barangay Cabug.Gamboa said...

Two fishermen found a dead man at sea near Barangay Sum-ag in Bacolod City today, February 24.The two fishermen identified as 33-year-old Joey Sanchez of Cauayan and 23-year-old Charlie Chavez of Barangay Sum-ag said they found the body while they were navigating the waters between Guimaras and Sum-ag.They tied the cadaver to their fishing boat and brought it to the Sum-ag River.The male victim was said to be five feet in height, around 20 years old, and was already bloated.The cadaver was brought to a funeral home in Barangay Mansilingan.Authorities are still determining the identity of the victim.*

The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, a Department of Health-run hospital in Bacolod City, will suspend the operations of its operating room (OR) for two days.In an advisory today, February 24, Dr. Julius Drilon, CLMMRH medical center chief, said the hospital management will partially close the Operating Room (OR) Complex effective immediately.The OR complex will undergo thorough terminal cleaning of its facilities to serve its patients effectively and efficiently, he said.He also said that the hospital will continue to accept patients who are considered to be an “extreme emergency case only.”“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused the public. Rest assured that the operations will immediately resume within 48 hours,” he s...

BCPO photoA 55-year-old man, who was suspected to be a member of a robbery group, was gunned down inside his house at Barangay Cabug in Bacolod City Monday night, February 22.Police identified the fatality as Eduardo Cataraja, who succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.He was allegedly part of the Epogon robbery group, that was said to be responsible for a string of robberies in Negros Occidental.Based on the accounts of the witnesses, three unidentified armed men were seen going to his house, then they heard several gunshots.The police said eight fired cartridges of a .45 caliber pistol, a cartridge of a 5.56mm pistol, P1,521 cash, two cellphones, and other belongings were recovered from the scene of the crime.*

City DRRMO photoA 10-year-old boy, who went swimming with his six cousins and friends, drowned at Ginsang-an River in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City, Monday afternoon, February 23.Police said the victim was from Barangay Granada.The victim struggled to stay afloat when he reached the deep portion of the river, a police report said.The boy's companions, who were all minors, sought help and his body was found hours later.The victim did not know how to swim, the police said.*

PDEA photoOperatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Occidental arrested seven persons during a bust operation at a drug den in Barangay Banago, Bacolod City, this morning, February 23.Nabbed were suspected drug “maintainer” Romeo “Nonoy” Gain, Romy Valenzuela, sons Ronnie Valenzuela and Jupiter Valenzuela, and cousins Marvic Dela Torre, Rico Dela Torre and Reymart Dela Torre.Shey Tanaleon, PDEA-6 information officer, said the drug enforcement agents recovered 11 grams of suspected shabu worth P74,800, drug paraphernalia, and the buy-bust money.Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the suspects.*

A man was shot to death by an unidentified suspect who pretended to be customer at a vulcanizing shop in Barangay Lemery, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, Sunday night, February 21.Killed was Dindo Villacorte, 28, of Barangay Lemery.The three unidentified persons on board a motorcycle arrived at the vulcanizing shop beside the road, a police report said.One of the suspects, who alighted from the motorcycle, told the victim “pa vulcate mi,” then drew his weapon and shot Villacorte multiple times.The victim was rushed to Calatrava District Hospital but was referred to San Carlos City Hospital where he was pronounced dead.Recovered from the crime scene were six fired cartridges of a .45 caliber pistol and one deformed slug.Police have yet to establish the motive for the k...

A couple was killed while their minor-son survived after they figured in an accident at Barangay Pandanon, Murcia, Sunday night, February 21.Police identified the victims as 27-year-old Arnel Calalas and his live-in partner, 22-year-old Jessa Laranio, while their minor-son sustained minor injuries.Based on the police report, the victims, on board a motorcycle, were on their way home when they crashed into the rear of a parked truck at the side of the road.The victims were brought to the Murcia Health Unit but were was pronounced dead on arrival.The truck driver identified as 19-year-old Hans Uyco of Barangay Igmaya-an, Salvador Benedicto, surrendered to the police.*

PDEA-6 photoAgents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-6 Special Enforcement Team arrested eight persons during a buy-bust operation at a drug den in Purok Cheriza 2, Barangay 27, Bacolod City, this afternoon, February 22.Nabbed were suspected drug den “maintainer” Rigor Diaz, Rona Rose Calabon, Jonathan Aguillon, Romeo Legaspi, Michael Millendez, Samuel Baustista, Niño Sulitas, and John Harven Delfin.Shey Tanaleon, PDEA-6 information officer, said the operatives recovered 12 grams of suspected shabu worth P81,600, drug paraphernalia, and drug bust money.The suspects will face drug charges.*