Negros Oriental

A 76-year-old man died after his house was razed by fire in Valencia, Negros Oriental, early Tuesday morning, June 2.The Bureau of Fire Protection-Valencia identified the fatality as Primitivo Abellon, single, and a resident of Purok 7, Brgy. Jawa.The fire reportedly broke out at around 5 a.m.BFP-Valencia said responders discovered the remains of Abellon inside the house that was engulfed by fire.Reports also said that the victim lived alone, was active in the community, and had no known health problem.BFP-Valencia also reported that four motorcycles were burned in the fire.Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire and have yet to release the estimated cost of damage.*

Jealousy is being eyed as the motive in the fatal stabbing of a man by his brother-in-law in Valencia, Negros Oriental, on Sunday noon, May 31.The victim was identified as Wellington Fabillar, who was declared dead after the incident in Brgy. East Balabag.Police identified the suspect as Candido But-ay, 45, a resident of Brgy. Lunga, Valencia.The  suspect told the police his anger started after his wife allegedly went with the victim to Tayasan without his knowledge.He also claimed that his jealousy worsened after his wife allegedly left him for about a month and stayed at the victim’s hut.The suspect is now detained at the Valencia Police Station while the police said appropriate charges are being prepared against him.*

Travelers using fast craft between Sibulan, Negros Oriental and Liloan, Santander in Cebu have begun enjoying a PHP30 fare assistance from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).Ronaldo Bandalaria, MARINA director for Central Visayas, said on Tuesday, June 2, that this aligns with the Lakbay Alalay ng Gobyerno initiative, which aims to reduce travel expenses for specific seafarers."The government has disbursed PHP200 billion for this nationwide initiative that subsidizes a portion of the fare for passengers traveling on eligible shipping lines that fulfill the requirements," Bandalaria said.“This applies solely to passenger vessels with a travel duration of under two hours and that do not transport any freight, unlike the larger roll-on, roll-off vessels,” he added.In Neg...

A high-value drug suspect was arrested and over ₱680,000 worth of suspected illegal drugs were seized by law enforcement during a buy-bust operation in Dumaguete City at about 12:49 a.m. Monday,  June 1.Dumaguete City Police Station and  Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office operatives  apprehended the suspect, identified only as alias “Jun-Jun,” in Purok Star Apple 1, Barangay Cadawinonan.The suspect is a   resident of Purok Yellow Tops Zone 3, Barangay Candau-ay, Dumaguete City,  was targeted after police received verified information regarding his illicit activities.The arrest stemmed from a tip provided by a confidential informant regarding the suspect's alleged illegal drug trade, the police said.During the operation, authorities recovered a...

Alias "AI" (second from left) being arrested/*The police  apprehended Negros Occidental’s  No. 6 Most Wanted Person for  the alleged rape of a minor during an intelligence-driven manhunt operation on Monday morning, June 1.The suspect, identified only by his alias “Al,” a 37-year-old single carpenter from Sitio Nato, Barangay Ali-is, Bayawan City, was tracked down and arrested at around 9:45  a.m.  in Sitio Ilaya, Barangay Calamba, Guihulngan City, the police reported.He was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest for statutory rape, with no bail recommended.The accused is alleged to have sexually abused a minor victim. The victim had been entrusted to his care and custody due to their relationship as distant relatives, the police said.Alias “Al”...

Officials of the Department of Information and Communications Technology in the Negros Island Region (DICT-NIR) give updates on their plans, programs and accomplishments this year, at a forum in Dumaguete City on Monday.*PNA/Mary Judaline F. Partlow photoThe Department of Information and Communications Technology in the Negros Island Region (DICT-NIR) is prioritizing geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) for the government’s Free Wi-Fi for All program, an official said on Monday, June 1.At a forum  in Dumaguete City to celebrate the agency’s upcoming 10th founding anniversary, Ramil Taboso, officer-in-charge regional director of DICT-NIR, said 80 percent of the agency’s free Wi-Fi program beneficiaries are GIDA sites.Taboso said that as of May, 5,560 ...

A job order employee of the La Libertad local government unit was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Martilo, La Libertad, Negros Oriental on Thursday, May 28.Police identified the suspect as alias “Isyong,” 46, a resident of Sitio Looc, Brgy. Pisong.Authorities seized from the suspect 10 sachets of suspected shabu weighing about one gram, with an estimated street value of P10,000.Police also recovered the P500 buy-bust money, a cigarette case, a cellphone, another P500 cash, and a motorcycle.The suspect is now under police custody.He will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.*

A food delivery rider receives PHP5,000 from a social worker on Thursday  during a payout at the Negros Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City.*PNA/Mary Judaline Flores Partlow photoThe Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Negros Island Region (NIR) distributed cash relief assistance to riders and drivers in the delivery and logistics sector in Negros Oriental on Thursday.More than 600 beneficiaries from across the province have been identified to receive the cash assistance to help them cope with the current economic crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict.John Michael Rollorata, Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) team leader here, said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency, that the payout is the third tranche for the transport ...

An 18-year-old construction worker died in a hit-and-run incident in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, on Tuesday morning, May 26.The victim was identified by his uncle as Kerve Renacia, single, a resident of Brgy. Cangcawas, San Jose.The incident happened in Brgy. Batinguel while the victim was on his way to work.Initial information indicated that the victim may have been hit by a truck, but this has yet to be verified.The Dumaguete City Police Station is investigating the incident and working to identify the vehicle that hit the victim.Authorities are also checking possible CCTV footage from a nearby resto bar that may have captured the incident.*

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples en banc meets at Park Inn by Radisson in Iloilo City on Tuesday  to approve the establishment of a regional office in the Negros Island Region. *  The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) will soon open a regional office in the Negros Island Region (NIR) to boost service delivery to an estimated 140,000 indigenous peoples in Negros and Siquijor. The Commission en banc approved the establishment of the NCIP-NIR during its meeting at Park Inn by Radisson in Iloilo City on Tuesday, May 26. "This is an important step to strengthen programs and services for indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs) in the region," the NCIP said in a statement. The move responds to "the growing ...