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A Kabankalanon was stabbed to death during a heated argument in Purok Patag, Brgy. Bantayan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday evening, October 3.The 40-year-old man was stabbed by a suspect aged 29.The suspect and victim, whose names were withheld by the police, were under the influence of liquor.The victim was declared dead at the Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital and the suspect escaped, the police reported.*

Candidate No. 4 Marianel Tan.*MBM photoA working student and a “fur-mom” who is campaigning for the humane treatment of animals is Miss Bacolod MassKara (MBM) candidate number 4.Marianel Tan, 23, is a communications student at the University of St. La Salle (USLS).She is a fur mom who works for an online company.“As a pet lover, I advocate for the humane treatment of animals. I am against animal cruelty,” she said.During the MBM press presentation when she was asked what humans can learn from dogs, she answered it is loyalty.“When I was young, my parents gifted me with a labrador and it taught me the value of loyalty. Our dogs will be there for us no matter what circumstances we face,” she said.Tan also shared her thoughts on how to make social media a safe plac...

Victorias PNP photoA senior citizen died and 16 others were injured after three tricycles collided along Osmeña Avenue in Brgy. 13, Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, October 4.Maj. Joy Ellaga, Victorias City Police deputy chief, said that a 70-year-old woman was on board tricycle when another overtook them causing a collision.The victim fell and sustained injuries on her head and body that caused her death.The tricycle where the victim rode also bumped into another tricycle.The incident left 16 injured, most of them students.Ellaga said the 31-year-old suspect is now under the custody of Victories City Police.He will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical injuries.*

The drug bust in Brgy. Singcang-Airport on Thursday.*BCPO photoThe Bacolod City Police Office arrested two alleged high-value targets and seized P340,000 worth of suspected shabu in Brgy. Singcang-Airport, on Thursday, October 5.Arrested were Leo Dungon, 36, of Brgy. 13, and a 19-year-old female from Brgy. Singcang-Airport at about 12:30 a.m., the police said.Seized were 14 heat-sealed sachets of suspected shabu weighing 50 grams, the police added.Col. Noel Aliño, Bacolod police director, warned drug personalities that the police will continue to go after them.The police will ensure that those arrested will be meted the maximum penalty and face the consequences, he said.*

The 44th MassKara Festival will open Friday night with a bang, organizers said.*Bacolod Yuhum Foundation photoIt’s all systems go for the 44th MassKara Festival that will officially open at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds with lots of entertainment and a Grand Salubong Countdown Friday night, October 6.The send off of law enforcers to secure the festival that will run until October 22 was held at the Bacolod City Police Office headquarters Thursday afternoon, October 5.The 2,949 festival security force will be composed of 941 policemen from the Bacolod City Police Office and 1,041 from the Police Regional Office 6, along with 567 peacekeepers from other agencies and 400 force multipliers, Col. Noel Aliño, Bacolod police director, said.Mayor Alfredo Abelardo ...

The Bacolod City Public Plaza will be festooned with festival lights as sectoral groups march with torches and trikes adorned with lights on the opening night of the “MassKarapatdapat sa Plaza” 6 p.m. Saturday, October 7.Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and First Lady Nikki Benitez, along with members of the City Council will join the opening of the public plaza as one of the seven major festival sites for this year’s MassKara Festival.Festival site coordinator Christopher Mallo said they have lined-up several nightly activities that will entertain visitors for 16 days starting off with the “Bida ng Bacolod,” a talent competition to search for the best performer or performers in the City of Smiles on October 8.Contestants will perform either in solo acts or in groups with a maxim...

It is not the amount they were asking for but it can help.That was the reaction of the leaders of two Bacolod transportation groups on Wednesday, October 4, to the P1 provisional fare increase granted for both traditional and modern public utility jeepneys (PUJ) nationwide by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).The provisional increase will take effect Sunday, October 8.The minimum fare for traditional and modern PUJs would be P13 and P15, respectively, LTFRB regional director Richard Osmeña said.The 20 percent discount for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities remains, he said.The provisional fare increase of P1 is for the first 4 kilometers, there is no increase for succeeding kilometers.Eduardo “Junjun” Asis, Sentro...

The simulation exercises at the Bacolod City Police Office grounds.*Nico Delfin photoCol. Noel Aliño, Bacolod City police director, vowed to continue training the police in handling various incidents to ensure a safe MassKara Festival and Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections this month.Aliño, during the sidelines of the simulation exercises on various incidents at the Bacolod City Police Office grounds in Brgy. Taculing on Wednesday, October 4, said that the event serves as a reminder not to commit criminal activities in the city as the police are prepared to respond.Hostage-taking, a bomb threat, and active shooter on the loose were among the incidents simulated by the police together with the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and rescue volunteer organ...

The MassKara Festival street dance competition route has been shortened and will only pass through Araneta Street going to the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City on October 22, festival organizers announced Wednesday, Oct. 4.This came after Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez suggested to make the Bacolod City Government Center replica at the public plaza as the kick-off point of the street dance competition to prevent dancers from fainting due to extreme heat.Bacolod Yuhum Foundation spokesperson Mate Espina said that from the previous route starting at SM City Bacolod, the festival organizers have decided to follow the directive of the mayor to shorten the street dance route going to Paglaum where the arena competition will be held.She said that as soon as the Sangguniang Panl...

An 80-year-old Japanese man died after he was trapped inside his burning house in Purok Lumboy, Brgy. Tabugon, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Tuesday morning, October 3.Investigator FO3 John Dereck Villaruz of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Kabankalan said that Gaiji Fukuda was sleeping when the fire broke out and was unable to get out of his room.The fire station is 35 kilometers away from Tabugon, an upland barangay of Kabankalan, Villaruz said.The father-in-law of the Japanese tried to rescue him but could not get through the fire, Villaruz added.The victim’s wife, Ma. Leni Fukuda, 32, brought the body of the victim to Bacolod City, while the Scene of the Crime Operatives conducted an investigation in the area of the incident.BFP-Kabankalan estimated the damage t...