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The farmer who was found dead.*Moises Padilla PNP photoA farmer was found dead at Barangay Guinpana-an, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, October 20.The victim was identified as Eliseo Amparado, 58.The victim was lying on a bamboo chair, covered in blood, when the police found him.He sustained multiple wounds on his body.A bolo was recovered from the crime scene, which could have been used by the unidentified suspect to kill the victim.The police are still investigating the incident.*

First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos flanked by Olivia Yanson and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez at the Masskarade Ball.*Ronnie Baldonado photoPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday, October 21, called on Filipinos from around the country to join Bacolod’s MassKara Festival.Marcos, in a statement released by Malacañan Palace, said he invites “people from across the country to join in, explore unique places in the city, and meet new people along the way, as they may fill the great and urgent need to uplift our dispositions at this crucial time”.“May the vivid colors and smiles so common and abundant during the festivities serve as declarations of resilience, even as we tackle our deepest concerns and overcome our greatest hurdles, especially now that we are steadily gaining ...

The Philippine National Police approved the request to suspend the Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) during the 43rd MassKara Festival in Bacolod City.The memorandum from the national police headquarters came out Friday, October 21.Lt. Col. Sherlock Gabana, Bacolod City Police Office public information officer, said the ban will be from 12:01 a.m. of October 17 to 11:59 p.m. of October 23.He said that only members of the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other law enforcement agencies who are performing official duties and in agency-prescribed uniforms will be allowed to carry firearms.This is to ensure that the activity will be free from firearm-related incidents and for the safety of the community as well as local and foreign tourists, he...

The drugs recovered during the buy-bust operation in Brgy. Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City.*Police Station 8 photoA drug buy-bust operation at Henrietta Village in Brgy. Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, on Thursday night, October 20, led to the recovery of P170,000 worth of shabu.Nabbed was Kimber John “Puswak” Garces, 28.During the bust, he yielded 25 grams of suspected shabu , the P500 buy bust money, and a coin purse.The suspect is now detained at Police Station 8, and is facing drug charges.*

The 863 more policemen who arrived Thursday,, October 20.*Security in Bacolod City has been further beefed up with 863 more policemen deployed as the MassKara Festival highlights reach fever pitch from Friday to Sunday, October 21 to 23.The additional policemen who arrived Thursday bring the security forces in the city to about 2,500.First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos is joining the Masskarade Ball at the SMX Convention Center Friday evening, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected at the MassKara dancers’ arena competition at the Paglaum Stadium on Sunday afternoon.MassKara Festival director Pinky Mirano Ocampo warned of heavy traffic along Lacson Street with the closure of the Tourism Strip for concerts, sponsors stages and a food fest from Friday to Sunday.She...

The Commission on Audit has disallowed Incentive Benefits for Exemplary Services (IBES) granted to Negros Occidental provincial government employees and an appeal has been filed before the Supreme Court, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Thursday, October 20.In December 2021 the provincial government gave each of its employees P65, 000 in additional bonuses, of which P25,000 was tagged as IBES.The IBES granted by the provincial government in previous years have also been disallowed, he added.Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has given instructions to find other ways to give the provincial government employees adequate bonuses this Christmas without identifying such as IBES to avoid getting a disallowance notice from the COA again, Diaz said.Diaz also said there will be...

The senior high school student who was shot.*Sagay PNP photoA senior high school student was shot in Brgy. Bato, Sagay City, Negros Occidental, Wednesday night, October 19.The victim was identified as 19-year-old Renelyn Batobato.Initial investigation showed that the victim was with her friends when the suspect identified as James Dorimon shot her with a pistol several times.The victim sustained wounds on her feet and was rushed to a hospital.The suspect on board a motorcycle was pursued by responding police.His motorcycle was left abandoned at a sugarcane field, which was 400 meters away from the crime scene. He remains at large.*