Negros Oriental

Boxes of suspected smuggled cigarettes found during a police operation in Negros Oriental.*PNP photo Police in Negros Oriental have intensified their campaign against suspected smuggled cigarettes amid indications that the contraband is now being distributed in smaller quantities to retailers, a police official said Tuesday, August 4.Capt. Stephen Jaynard Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), said police are conducting intelligence and monitoring operations to determine whether smugglers have shifted from bulk distribution to supplying smaller volumes to retailers.During an online media briefing, Polinar said that except for one major seizure in July, most police operations recovered only small volumes of undocumented cigarettes....

The government of Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental has imposed minimum buying and retail prices for live hogs and pork products to protect hog raisers, traders, and consumers amid growing concerns over the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in the province.A social media post of the city government showed Mayor Filomeno Reyes signed Executive Order No. 17, Series of 2026 on Monday, establishing the minimum buying price for live hogs and pork carcasses, as well as the minimum retail price for pork sold within the city.Under the order, the minimum buying price for live hogs is set at PHP160 per kilogram (kg) for live weight, while the minimum buying price for pork carcasses is PHP200 per kg. The minimum retail price of pork has been fixed at PHP240 per kilogram.The executive o...

One of the arrested suspects was identified by Carpenter's live-in partner as the one who allegedly sexually assaulted her.*PNA/Mary Judaline Flores Partlow photoThe live-in partner of slain American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter has applied for inclusion in the government's witness protection program following his fatal shooting in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, last month, a police official said Tuesday, August 4.Capt. Stephen Jaynard Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), said the 37-year-old woman's application has been endorsed to higher authorities for evaluation and approval."Higher authorities will decide on her application for the government's witness protection program, but we can assure the woman of her safety and security pe...

A total of 718 workers received PHP23.2 million in settlement claims through the Single-Entry Approach (SEnA) program of the Department of Labor and Employment-Negros Island Region (DOLE-NIR) from January to June 2026.In a report released on Tuesday, July 28,  DOLE-NIR said these results were based on the 347 requests for assistance handled by the regional office across Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.“Through SEnA, parties are guided towards practical and mutually acceptable solutions before disputes develop into full-blown labor cases,” the agency said.In Negros Occidental, 256 requests were handled for 617 workers, who received a settlement amount of PHP19.8 million, while in Negros Oriental, there were 70 requests with the same number of workers, result...

Protest in Bacolod City on Monday.*CPG photoThe Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) said it  successfully maintained peace and order throughout the region during the 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 27,  recording zero major security incidents.As part of its comprehensive security operations, PRO NIR deployed nearly 600 personnel across the region to secure public spaces before, during, and after the President’s address. All police units were placed on heightened alert, coordinating closely with local government units (LGUs), partner agencies, and volunteer force multipliers to monitor gatherings and maintain public safety.PRO NIR Regional Director PBGen. Romano Cardiño said "The pea...