Marchel P. Espina

Feb72021 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

2 killed in shootings

Two people were killed in separate shooting incidents in Negros Occidental Friday and Saturday.Vicente Gayongala, 50, of Barangay 2, Himamaylan City, was gunned down by unidentified men on Saturday, February 6.Based on the initial police investigation, the victim was on his way home from the market with his sister and niece when he was waylaid and shot by motorcycle-riding suspects several times in front of the Himamaylan City Elementary School.The victim was rushed to the nearest medical facility but was transferred to a hospital in Bacolod City, where he died.Recovered from the crime scene were three deformed fired cartridge cases of a .45 caliber pistol.In San Carlos City, pedicab driver Joselito Omelda, 42, was shot to death by unidentified suspects ay Barangay Riza...

Feb72021 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

San Carlos resto-bar owners summoned over alleged health protocol violations

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San Carlos LGU photoThe Emergency Operations Center of San Carlos City summoned resto-bar owners in the locality for alleged violations of the safety health standards against coronavirus.The erring establishments allegedly failed to implement the health protocols against COVID-19 such as physical distancing, wearing of face masks and face shields, as well as allowing “sing-along” in their establishments, and accommodating customers more than the allowed 50 percent capacity.Resto-bar owners were reminded to strictly implement the health protocols to stop the spread of the virus.Mayor Renato Gustilo, who met with the establishment owners during an EOC meeting on February 4, told them to understand why the city is very strict in the implementation of the health protocols set b...

Feb52021 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Prices of alcoholic beverages, transport drive WV inflation up

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The 3.8 percent inflation rate of Western Visayasin January, which slightly increased from 3.7 percent in December, was driven by the higher increment in alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and transport indices, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported today, February 5.The overall inflation in the region was primarily pushed up by the higher prices in alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 18.8 percent during the month, from 14.8 percent in December 2020.Also contributing to the uptrend were the higher increases in the indices of transport at 14.1 percent, health at 4.6 percent, furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house, and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services at 3.2 percent each, and food and non-alcoholic beverages at 2.9 percent.The rest of...

Feb42021 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Love triangle eyed in woman’s slay

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BCPO photoThe police are eyeing a love triangle, not robbery, as the primary motive in the murder of a woman in Bacolod City on Wednesday, February 3.Angelica Montalvo, 23, of Barangay Banago, was in her vehicle with her live-in partner and relatives, when an unidentified suspect entered the car and declared a holdup.The vehicle was parked in front of the Medical Plaza at BS Aquino Drive early in the morning.The suspect then instructed the live-in partner to drive to Barangay Cabug, but when they reached Oroland Subdivision in Barangay Tangub, the suspect shot the woman in the head.The assailant, who fled after the incident, carted away the cellphones and money of the victims.But for Maj. Joery Puerto, Police Station 8 chief, the robbery was just a “front,” saying t...

Feb42021 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Renewal of vehicle registration ending with 1, 2 extended: LTO

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Vehicle owners with plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 will have more time to renew their registration as the deadline was extended by the Land Transportation Office.This was confirmed today, February 4, by LTO Bacolod chief Reuben Tampos to give motorists more time to renew their expired registration.He said that vehicle owners with plate numbers ending in 1, or supposed to renew their registration not later than January 31, will have until February 15 to settle their renewal.The deadline of registration for those with plate numbers ending in 2, or have until February 28 to renew, will be extended to March 8, he said.If they fail to settle their registration after the extension, they will have to pay 50 percent of the late renewal fees.He said there are no advisories yet ...

Feb32021 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

‘NBI asset,’ woman killed in Bacolod shootings

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BCPO photoAn alleged National Bureau of Investigation asset and a woman were killed in separate shooting incidents in Bacolod City today, February 3, in just two hours.The first fatality was identified as 23-year-old Angelica Montalvo of Barangay Banago.She was in her vehicle with her live-in partner, whose identity was not revealed by the police, that was parked in front of the Medical Plaza at BS Aquino Drive at 7 a.m. when an unidentified suspect declared a holdup.Based on the initial police investigation, the assailant entered the vehicle and instructed the live-in partner to drive to Barangay Cabug, but when they reached Oroland Subdivision in Barangay Tangub, the suspect shot the woman in the head.The victim was rushed to the Bacolod Adventist Hospital but was dec...

Feb32021 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Ex-BJMP employee nabbed in drug bust

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PDEA-6 photoA former employee of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) was arrested in a drug bust at Henrietta Village, Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, 5:40 p.m. today, February 3.Nabbed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-6 Special Enforcement Team was Trisha Galicia, who was said to be a high-value target and a member of the Vargas Drug Group.Shey Tanaleon, PDEA-6 information officer, said the suspect, who went on absence without leave from the BJMP for a year, yielded five packs of suspected shabu worth P170,000, the buy-bust money, cash proceeds, and a sling bag.Charges for sale and possession of illegal drugs are being readied against the suspect.*

Feb32021 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

NegOr top cop orders probe on policeman’s slay

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Ramzkie Sebuco photoThe director of Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office directed his men to thoroughly investigate the killing of a policeman in Mabinay on Monday, February 1.Col. Bryant Demot, provincial police director, said today, February 3, that he was saddened by the death of MSgt. Jesedem Carriaga, 54, of the Mabinay Police Station and a resident of Brgy. Interior Cabugan, Bindoy.Carriaga was about to leave the house of a councilman in Barangay Lumbangan when he was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding suspects.Demot appealed to the public who witnessed the incident to coordinate with the Mabinay Police Station to help in their investigation.He also assured the family of the policeman that justice will be served.Based on their initial investigation, the ...

Feb22021 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

State forces hold peace rally, youth protests anti-terror law

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Hilway photoState forces held a peace rally in front of the Fountain of Justice at Araneta Street in Bacolod City today, February 2, just hours before the scheduled oral arguments on the Anti-Terrorism Act before the Supreme Court.But the peace rally, which was in support of the government’s Anti-Terror Law, was met by a small group of Bacolod youth, who strongly opposed the measure.“We stood in front of them, knowing there were only a few of us standing against a collection of organized state-sponsored forces. But every voice matters, and we believe that a strong opposition against the unconstitutional Anti-Terrorism Law should be heard,” youth group Hilway said.They added, “we believe that genuine youth representation means that we get the freedom to exercise our rights t...

Feb22021 by Marchel P. EspinaNo Comments

Missing fisherman found in Cauayan

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PCG photoThe body of a fisherman, who jumped off his boat to retrieve a water container, was washed ashore in Barangay Tuyom, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, Monday night, February 1.The body of Teoderico Castellano, 36, of Barangay Miranda, Pontevedra was found three days after he went missing, the Philippine Coast Guard reported today, February 2.His was identified by his family based on the tattoo markings on his right shoulder.On Friday, January 29, Castellano went fishing with his companions.But when a water container fell from their boat, he jumped out to get it.His companions tried to help him, but he disappeared.The PCG said that there were strong waves when it happened.*