Negros Oriental

A 53-year-old woman died after she was crushed by a large boulder while digging in Brgy. Jandalamanon, Ayungon, Negros Oriental, on Wednesday afternoon, July 22.Barangay officials said the victim, identified only as alias “Bel,” borrowed a digging tool and excavated soil near the boulder.A relative had allegedly told her that the rock could be a sign that gold or other hidden valuables were buried in the area.After several minutes of digging, the boulder reportedly shifted and rolled toward the victim, trapping her underneath.Personnel of the Ayungon Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and residents worked together to lift the boulder and retrieve her body.The recovery operation lasted more than three hours because of the boulder’s weight.The victim ...

A former Yunit Militia member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to authorities and turned over a revolver in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, July 23.The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region said the woman voluntarily surrendered at the headquarters of the 2nd Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company in Brgy. Gargato.Police said she was previously affiliated with the dismantled Central Negros 2 under the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor.She turned over a .357caliber revolver and two live rounds of ammunition.Authorities said the surrender was facilitated through former members who had earlier returned to the government.The woman reportedly joined the group in 2013 after being promised assistance in securing land for he...

The Canlaon City government in Negros Oriental has granted the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Negros Island Region the legal use of a property intended for the new Canlaon City Jail.Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas and BJMP-NIR Regional Director Jail Chief Supt. Brendan O. Fulgencio signed the deed of usufruct agreement on Tuesday, July 21.Under the agreement, the BJMP is authorized to use the identified property for the development and operation of a secure and functional jail facility.The bureau said the project is intended to improve conditions for persons deprived of liberty and address the operational needs of jail personnel.The signing was also attended by BJMP-NIR officials, including Logistics Division Chief Jail Chief Insp. Bryan Donasco, Legal Ser...

The Pag-IBIG vehicle that figured in the road crash*PNP photoA 40-year-old assistant department manager of the Pag-IBIG Ayala Branch in Cebu died, while three others were injured, after their service vehicle suffered an alleged brake failure and crashed into several trees along the roadside in  Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental,  on Thursday afternoon,  the police reported.The victims were aboard a white Hyundai utility vehicle traveling from Guihulngan Heights toward the city proper at around 1:40 p.m.  After traveling approximately one kilometer from their point of origin, the vehicle suffered a mechanical brake failure while negotiating a curved portion of the road at Sitio Palao, Barangay Malusay, the police said.Upon realizing the brakes had failed, th...

UPLIFT distribution in Talisay City*DSWD photoThe Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide ₱1.93 billion in Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) assistance to 171,594 residents of the Negros Island Region over a six-month period, DSWD-NIR Regional Director Arwin Razo said on Thursday.Under UPLIFT Group 2, poor and near-poor beneficiaries will receive ₱2,000 a month for six months, he said.The bulk of the identified beneficiaries are in Negros Occidental with 103,196, followed by Negros Oriental with 67,853, and Siquijor with 545.The initial pilot distribution in Negros Occidental will cover Sagay City, Talisay City, and Hinigaran, while the rollout in Negros Oriental will be in Vallehermoso and Dumaguete City, Razo ...

The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO) will deploy Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) teams and special reserve police officers to maintain peace and order across the province as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his State-of-the-Nation Address on Monday, July 27.NorPPO spokesperson Capt. Stephen Jaynard Polinar said police are closely monitoring groups expected to hold rallies, motorcades, and protest marches in Dumaguete City.“We have already identified groups that may conduct rallies and possible venues such as the Freedom Park and the Pantawan People’s Park here,” Polinar said.Polinar said CDM units and reserve personnel will be deployed a day before the SONA, pending the regional director of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region declaring a r...

The alleged gunman and another suspect in the killing of American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, are escorted from the Hall of Justice on Friday*PNA/ Mary Judaline Flores Partlow photoThree suspects charged in the fatal shooting of American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter in Sibulan, Negros Orientalm have tested positive for illegal drug use, a police official said Tuesday,  July 21.Capt. Stephen Jaynard Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, identified the suspects only by their aliases M.O., J.F., and C.D."The first two suspects were arrested after the crime was committed, while the third voluntarily surrendered to authorities later," Polinar said during a virtual press briefing.He said the drug ...

The 4th most wanted person in Negros Oriental, who is facing raps for alleged qualified rape, was arrested while under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Mabinay on Monday, July 20.The  Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO) reported that  the suspect, who was the Provincial 4th  Most Wanted Person, was served with a warrant of arrest by personnel of the Jimalalud Municipal Police Station.The warrant was issued in connection with raps for six counts of qualified rape of a minor.No bail was recommended for the charges.The suspect remains under the custody of the BJMP Mabinay pending further court proceedings.*

The Confederation of Sugar Producers Association (CONFED), together with the Philippine Sugar Research Institute (PHILSURIN), and the Negros Occidental Provincial Biosecurity Task Force for Agriculture held a forum on Monday, July 20,  discuss RSSI infestation in Negros Island.CONFED, in a press release Tuesday, said its association-members from Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental sent representatives to discuss how they can collaborate with LGUs in starting government-led interventions. Attendees were advised to help their LGUs survey infestation, map them out within their city and town borders, and determine priority areas.Members of the Provincial Task Force presented the Identification of Risk Areas as reported by the SRA showing land that are intensely affected...