Marchel P. Espina

BCPO photoA 29-year-old man was shot to death while his partner was injured when an unidentified suspect stormed into their house at Barangay Banago, Bacolod City early today, February 16.Killed was Rahnz Banias, while 36-year-old Mary Liza Pahamutang sustained gunshot wounds on her left eye and back.Based on the initial police investigation, the couple was still in bed when the assailant, who was slim-built and was wearing a bicycle helmet, blue sweatshirt, and long pants, entered their rented house.Banias was brought to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. He succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds on his arm and head.Police recovered five fired cartridges from an unknown firearm at the crime scene.The motive of...

The Escalante City government has eased its border checkpoints, except for the one at its seaport.Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. in an executive order issued today, February 16, said that all established border controls within the city are lifted except the seaport border for incoming individuals from Cebu.He said the seaport border in Crossing Danao in Barangay Old Poblacion will be strengthened by reactivating the composite team of the police, army, and other agencies.The Philippine Coast Guard substation in Escalante City was also directed to establish full coordination with its counterparts in Cebu by requesting for a copy of the trip manifest of all incoming vessels entering the jurisdiction of the locality, and that the Bantay Dagat in coordination with PCG should actively conduct...

11IB photoState troopers recovered firearms after a clash with six suspected New People’s Army rebels in Barangay Napacao, Siaton, Negros Oriental, on February 14.Cpt. Francis Salcedo, information officer of the 11th Infantry Battalion (11IB) of the Philippine Army, said the rebels were believed to be remnants of Southeast Front, Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (SEF, KR–NCBS).The 11IB launched relentless focused military operations in response to reports of concerned residents on the armed group's presence in the area, he said.The firefight lasted for about 15 minutes, he said, adding that no casualty was reported on the government side and that bloodstains were also found on the withdrawal route of the rebel fighters.Government troopers recovered a M...

Valentine’s Day ended in tragedy for a Negrense who had just celebrated his birthday with his girlfriend.Ryan Villanueva, 33, was shot to death at a resort in Barangay Tibsok, San Enrique, Negros Occidental, early today, February 14.Villanueva along with his girlfriend and friends celebrated his birthday at the resort yesterday, February 13.Maj. Renante Salgado, San Enrique Police chief, said five unidentified suspects, who wore bonnets and jackets, stormed into the room of the victim at the resort, escorted his girlfriend out, and shot him multiple times.The victim died on the spot, while 28 fired cartridges of a .45 caliber pistol were recovered from the scene.Salgado said that the police recovered marijuana seeds and drug paraphernalia at the scene of the crime.I...

Romeo Subaldo photoA speeding truck sideswiped a motorcycle and killed its driver and passenger along the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road at Barangay Efigenio Lizares, Talisay City, Saturday afternoon, February 13.Killed were 55-year-old Allan Bedonia, and his nephew, 22-year-old Rodrigo Bedonia, of Hacienda San Antonio in Barangay Dos Hermanas, Talisay.The victims, who came from a christening in Silay City, were on their way home when they were hit by a prime mover truck driven by 42-year-old Jose Kenneth Verbo.The truck is owned by the Lopez Sugar Central Corp.Police Master Sgt. Michael McDowell, chief investigator of the Talisay City Police Station, said the driver and a mechanic, surrendered at the police border checkpoint at Barangay Matab-ang, more than two kilo...

PAWSsion Project photoAt least 52 impounded dogs, who are on death row at the Bacolod City pound, need help, BACH Project PH, a non-profit animal welfare organization, said.This is why the group, in coordination with the City Veterinary Office, is holding a pre-Valentine's Day adoption drive at the dog pound at Alunan Road in Barangay 35 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 13.“Forget chocolates and flowers. The best way to show your love is with a dog,” the group said in a Facebook post.“Dogs at the Bacolod City pound are facing a terrifying reality which is euthanasia. Many deserving furry friends may never meet the family of their dreams. Love is in the air, it is everywhere you look at the pound. Take one look into the eyes of the impounded dogs and you will see the...

Toboso PNP photoA Toboso municipal government employee, who figured in a hit and run accident, was arrested following a police chase Thursday night, February 11.Arrested after a police chase in Barangay San Jose, Toboso, was 54-year-old Edie Gumban.Gumban, a resident of San Isidro, Toboso, was a driver assigned at the Vice Mayor’s Office, a police report said.The police pursued the suspect after he sideswiped a tricycle, injured a passenger and escaped, the report added.During the chase, the suspect reportedly drew his handgun and pointed it at the pursuing policemen, which prompted the police to shoot the tires of Gumban’s vehicle so they could capture him, the police report said.The suspect, after he was intercepted, was found to be under the influence of intoxica...

BCPO photoTwo policemen in Bacolod City were injured while serving a warrant of arrest in Barangay Singcang-Airport today, February 12.Wounded were Lt. Roque Gimeno III and Pat. Jhon Ray Ortega of the Bacolod City Mobile Force Company.Lt. Ma. Liberty Indiape, public information officer of Bacolod City Police Office, said the policemen were serving the warrant for the arrest of 34-year-old Limuel Talaman.When Talaman was informed of his Constitutional rights, he pulled out his improvised firearm, prompting Ortega to disarm him.Talaman, however, was able to shoot the Ortega in the arm, while Gimeno was injured while subduing the suspect.Ortega was admitted to the hospital, while Gimeno was treated as an outpatient.Col. Manuel Placido, BCPO director, commended his ...