Marchel P. Espina

A screenshot of the video produced by San Carlos Diocese in 2019 that featured slain Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan, who expressed concern after being red-tagged.Malacañang Palace expects a speedy investigation into the murder of the Guihulngan City health officer and her husband.Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, at a press briefing with Manila reporters today, December 17, said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is already investigating the killing of Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan, who was also the local Inter-Agency Task Force incident commander, and her husband Edwin Sancelan, a local government employee.“Inaasahan po natin na magiging mabilis yung imbestigasyon nang mahuli na po, malitis, at maparusahan ang pumatay kay doktora (We expect a speedy investigation so that the perpetra...

PDEA-6 photoThe first reformation facility in Negros Occidental was launched today, December 17, in Pulupandan town.Leading the inauguration of the “Balay Silangan” were Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 6 director Edgar Apalla, director Donelyn Hemedez, Pulupandan Municipal Administrator Federico Infante, who represented Mayor Miguel Peña, the provincial police, and barangay officials.This facility will serve as an alternative intervention where drug reformists will be rehabilitated, Apalla said.“Let us maintain our program and projects. Huwag nating pabayaan na bumalik sila sa dati nilang buhay (Let us not allow them to return to their former life),” he added.After the ribbon-cutting and unveiling of the “Balay Silangan” marker, they also signed a “Manifesto o...

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo has ordered the provincial police to conduct further investigation into the killing of Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan, city health officer of Guihulngan, and husband Edwin Sancelan, a local government employee.This was revealed by Provincial Information Officer Bimbo Miraflor, whose statement was read by Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Liland Estacion, health committee chair of the province’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, at a press briefing Wednesday afternoon, December 16.He said the governor had already talked with Col. Bryant Demot, acting police provincial director, and told him to “investigate the matter seriously and bring the perpetrators to justice.”Miraflor said the incident will surely...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson welcomed the Regional Oversight Committee for the Barangay Clearing Program which conducted a deliberation for the 26 qualified drug-free barangays in the Province of Negros Occidental, in Talisay City today, December 16.*Capitol photoThe Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Western Visayas is prioritizing Negros Occidental and Bacolod City in its drug clearing operations, its information officer, Shey Tanaleon, said today, December 16.The PDEA declared 23 barangays in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City drug cleared today.However, Negros Occidental is only 34.10 percent drug-cleared, while its capital city, Bacolod, is 16.39 percent cleared, Tanaelon said.Bacolod and Negros Occidental are their “focal points” in the region since more barangays stil...

Sagay PNP photoA Sagay City resident was shot to death by unidentified men along the national highway in Barangay Old Sagay, Tuesday morning, December 15.Killed was 31-year-old Erwin Yu, who survived a gun attack in Toboso three weeks ago.Based on the initial police investigation, the victim, onboard a pedicab with his mother, was on his way to the barangay hall when he was tailed by the motorcycle-riding suspects.When they reached the barangay hall, the rider alighted from the motorcycle and shot the victim several times.He was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.Recovered from the scene were seven empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol.The police are still investigating the case.*

BCPO photoA 25-year-old man was arrested for alleged possession of firearm in an establishment at Rosario Street in Barangay 33, Bacolod City, Tuesday night, December 15.Nabbed was Jemar Nicavera of Barangay Alijis.Based on the police report, the suspect was seen holding a firearm at Shadex Refreshment in the area.He was arrested when the police arrived. He yielded a homemade .38 caliber revolver without ammunition.The suspect was detained at the police station.*

Three people, including a health officer, were killed in separate shooting incidents in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental today, December 15.The first incident happened at Carmen Ville Subdivision in Barangay Poblacion at around 5:20 p.m.Based on the initial police investigation, Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan, city health officer of Guihulngan and incident commander of the local Inter-Agency Task Force, and husband Edwin Sancelan, a local government employee, were on their way home when the unidentified suspect fired at the victims and quickly fled from the area.The victims were brought to a hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival.Recovered from the crime scene were 15 fired cartridges of a .45 caliber pistol.Personnel of the Guihulngan City Police Station are condu...

Moises Padilla LGU file photoSix more employees of the Moises Padilla municipal government in Negros Occidental have tested positive for COVID-19.Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo said that out of the 94 government employees who underwent the mandatory swab testing last week, six of them were found positive for the virus and are currently in isolation.The mayor earlier ordered the local government employees to undergo swab testing after two of its employees were tested positive for COVID-19.Earlier, various government offices were also placed on temporary lockdown pending the COVID-19 mass testing results. Those who were swabbed were also ordered to go on quarantine to ensure the health and safety of the public, the mayor added.Garcia said that the local government is already back...