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Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.*The Philippine Army (PA) on Monday, April 4, expressed support to Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.'s refusal to resume peace negotiations with the New People's Army (NPA)."The PA fully supports Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s rejection of the proposed resumption of peace talks with the NPA. The Army underscores that the NPA has been designated as a terrorist organization, given its continued use of violence and attacks against civilians and government forces," Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said.A coalition of more than 30 civil society organizations in Negros Occidental in a joint statement Saturday called on the Philippine government and the Na...

Mayor Greg Gasataya and Forza Development Corp. President Sheryl Chua signing the agreement on MOnday.*BCCO photoMayor Greg Gasataya signed a contract of lease with Forza Development Corp. for the use of a 10-hectare property for the development of a waste-to-energy (WTE) project within the city’s sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa, Monday, May 4.The leased property, designated as a WTE Industrial Zone, will be utilized for 25 years with an annual rental fee of ₱1.01 million.Forza Development Corp. President Sheryl Chua signed the agreement on behalf of the company.Gasataya clarified that the agreement covers only the lease of the property, noting that the Department of Energy has yet to determine the specific technology to be used for the WTE initiative.“This form...

The industry stakeholders are also urging the government to immediately implement a government-funded “Purchase and Park” program to temporarily reduce excess sugar inventory.*Ronnie Baldonado file photoA massive coalition of sugar industry stakeholders issued a manifesto on Monday, May 4, calling for  the replacement of the  Sugar Board members and the immediate implementation of a government sugar-buying program.They also called for adherence to the Department of Agriculture’s declaration of “no sugar importation for 2026” and the resumption of congressional investigations into the collapse of millgate prices of sugar.The manifesto signatories include the Sugar Council, represented by officials of the Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations Inc., the National ...

A 57-year-old man was arrested after being caught unloading boxes of illegal cigarettes worth about P715,000 in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, early Monday, May 4.Police identified the suspect as alias “Bazer,” a driver/vendor and resident of Zamboanga City.Personnel of the Kabankalan City Police Station responded at around 2:50 a.m. to a report from a concerned citizen about the unloading of cigarette boxes in Sitio Utod, Brgy. Hilamonan.Upon arrival, police caught the suspect in the act of unloading cigarette products without the required graphic health warnings from a red Isuzu Elf drop-side truck.Authorities said the items were in the possession of the suspect and were allegedly intended for distribution in the area.The confiscated cigarettes were estimated to...

The EMB public consultation on April 27*Mayor Joedith Gallego said on Monday, May 4, that the opposition of Silay City residents toward the Negros Bulk Water Project’s plan to tap water from the Imbang-Hinalinan River in Brgy. Guimbalaon remains unchanged.Gallego said that the stand of the Guimbalaon residents has stayed the same despite a public consultation conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) regarding the project on April 27.The residents continue to express deep concerns that the project will lead to a scarcity of water from the river.Gallego noted that it is unlikely the city government will grant the project a zoning clearance, considering the position of the residents in the area.He said they would be more likely agree to the Negros Bulk Water ...

The scene of the crime*A 56-year-old former inmate was shot dead in Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, Sunday night, May 3.The victim, identified as alias “Berto,” sustained a gunshot wound to the chest, which caused his death.Police said the shooting happened at around 9 p.m. in Purok Sigay.Station 8 chief, PCapt. Sherwin Galupar, said the suspect managed to escape but has already been identified through witness accounts.Galupar said charges for murder are being prepared against the suspect.Police are looking into an old grudge as the possible motive behind the killing.Authorities added that the victim had a previous record and was released from prison in August 2025.Galupar said the suspect remains at large and is the subject of an ongoing manhunt o...

Mayor Greg Gasataya announced on Monday, May 4, that the Bacolod City government will provide free school bags and supplies to public school students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 ahead of the upcoming school year.Students from Grade 7 to Grade 12 will also receive free school bags, along with PE uniforms, he said.Gasataya said that despite the ongoing fuel crisis, the city remains committed to supporting students and easing the financial burden on families before classes begin in June.“Please consider this not as an expense from the city government. For us, this is an investment in the future of the youth of Bacolod City. That’s why we are allocating enough resources to make it easier for students, so, there will be no reason for them not to stay in school,” he said.A to...

A 55-year-old man was arrested in a buy-bust operation that led to the seizure of more than P171,000 worth of suspected shabu in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, May 2.The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region identified the suspect as alias “Jack,” an electronic technician and resident of Brgy. 7, Victorias City.Police said the suspect was arrested at around 9:46 p.m. at Block 5, Fermont Village, following surveillance and validation of reports linking him to illegal drug activities.Seized from the suspect were 10 heat-sealed sachets containing suspected shabu weighing about 25.2 grams, including the buy-bust item, with an estimated value of P171,360.Authorities also recovered a P500 bill used as marked money and other non-drug items.Police said th...

The wooden stick used to kill the victim.*A 22-year-old man died after he was mauled by a companion following a drinking session in Calatrava, Negros Occidental, the police reported om Monday, May 4.The victim, identified as Edcel, was found lifeless in Sitio Agtatahor II, Brgy. Macasilao, after the incident late Saturday night.Initial investigation showed that the victim and the 19-year-old suspect, identified as alias “April,” had been drinking beside a river before heading home when a heated argument broke out.Authorities said the altercation escalated into a fistfight, during which the suspect allegedly used a wooden stick embedded with nails and repeatedly struck the victim on the head.The victim sustained severe injuries and was left at the scene, while the suspec...

Mayor Greg Gasataya met with National Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Games 2026 President Mark Molina with PRISAA-NIR Executive Director Jake Mercado, together with key city department heads, Monday, to finalize preparations for the upcoming national competitions in Bacolod City.* BCCO photoBacolod City will host more than 12,000 delegates from 17 regions during the 2026 National Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Games starting Saturday, May 9, until May 16.On Monday, Mayor Greg Gasataya discussed the final preparations for the sports, cultural and academic competitions with National PRISAA executive director Jake Mercado and PRISAA-Negros Island Region coordinator Mark Molina.In a statement, Molina acknowledged the “overwhelming" support they hav...