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The seized shabu on Sunday.*PNP photoThe police arrested a high-value individual and seized more than P14.1 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Bacolod City on Sunday night, July 5.The suspect was identified as alias “Fraze,” 25, a resident of Brgy. 1 and listed under the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council watchlist.The operation was conducted at around 9:50 p.m. in Purok Kamunsil, Brgy. 3, by personnel of the Bacolod City Police Office’s City Drug Enforcement Unit, with support from the City Intelligence Unit and Police Station 2.Police said the suspect was arrested after allegedly selling suspected shabu to an undercover operative.Authorities recovered four sachets and 21 knot-tied plastic bags containing about 2,075 grams of suspected shabu....

The University of St. La Salle (USLS) in Bacolod City is suspending in-person classes from Monday to Wednesday, July 6 to 8, citing unspecified security concerns.In a Facebook post on Sunday evening, the university administration announced that classes during this three-day period will shift to synchronous online sessions via Zoom."The University of St. La Salle places the highest priority on the safety and security of the Lasallian community. USLS takes all concerns seriously and is committed to the welfare of the community," the statement read.The university explained that a "security matter" had been brought to its attention. "While the matter is being verified and the necessary assessment is ongoing, classes from July 6 to 8 will shift to synchronous online via Zoom," USLS ...

The area where the fuel tanker hit the food carts*PNP photoA 36-year-old female food cart vendor was killed and two teenage vendors were injured Sunday afternoon after a fuel tanker truck plowed into them along the national highway in Barangay Palaka, Valladolid in Negros Occidental, Sunday afternoon, July 5.The incident occurred at around 4:15  p.m.  when the 57-year-old driver of a HOWO T7 fuel tanker claimed he fell asleep at the wheel while heading north toward Bago City, PMSgt. Eduardo Combong, Valladolid traffic investigator on duty, said.The tanker is owned by PRO Logistics Solutions Phil. Inc. of Alabang City, Muntinlupa.The driver lost control of the massive vehicle and veered onto the roadside, running over the three victims who were working at their food carts. ...

Councilor Al Victor Espino* The City Light photoThe Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Good Government will conduct a consultation on the technical aspects of a recommendation to authorize the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that  would allow Victorias City to deliver its residual waste to the Bacolod sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa, Councilor Al Victor Espino said Sunday, July 5.The Solid Waste Management Board of Bacolod City has already approved Victorias' request to dispose of its residual waste at the sanitary landfill, and the proposal has been submitted to the City Council.Lara Ann Garcia, officer-in-charge of the Victorias City Environment and Natural Resources Office, said the residual waste they are seeking permissio...

Arby Villaruz being awarded his prize by Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante (right).*Cadiz PIO photoA 23-year-old tapasero (sugarcane cutter) with no formal training defied the odds to claim the grand prize at the Negros Island Region (NIR)-wide painting competition held in Cadiz City on July 1. Arby Villaruz, a resident of Barangay Jerusalem in Cadiz City, took home the P100,000 top prize after the panel of judges unanimously selected his masterpiece.The art tilt was a major highlight of Cadiz’s 59th Charter Anniversary celebration, which ran from June 27 to July 5.For Villaruz, the victory is a life-changing milestone.As the eldest of four siblings, his daily life has been defined by poverty and intense sacrifice. Unable to afford a college education, he to...

A barangay tanod commander was killed while another tanod was injured after they were allegedly stabbed by a man during a fiesta celebration in Bago City early Sunday, July 5.Police identified the fatality only as “Jose,” 46, while the injured victim was identified as  “Restom,” 33.The incident happened at around 12:15 a.m. in Purok Surgom 1, Brgy. Bacong.Authorities identified the suspect as alias “Aming,” 45, a resident of the same barangay.Investigation showed the two tanods were providing security during a dance at the purok fiesta when they responded to assist a female attendee who reportedly became dizzy.Police said the suspect suddenly stabbed Jose on the left side of his body before fleeing.Restom chased the suspect in an attempt to arrest him but was also ...

A 40-year-old man was found dead with a head wound in Sipalay City on Saturday morning, July 4.Police identified the victim only by the alias “Christian,” an unemployed resident of Brgy. Canturay.His body was discovered at around 5 a.m. in Purok Skid 8, Brgy. Nabulao.Police  investigation showed that residents found the victim lying on the ground with a steel sledgehammer beside his head.Personnel of the Sipalay City Police Station responded to the scene after receiving a report from the barangay chairman.The victim’s body was brought to the Sipalay City Infirmary for post-mortem examination.Police are conducting further investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death.*

(L-R, seated) Paco Cojuangco of Central Azucarera de Tarlac; Dr. Ma. Lourdes Almodiente, SRA OIC-Deputy Administrator for RDE; former SRA Board Member Lito Sandoval; LUZONFED President Cornelio Toreya; and Victor De Jesus, Manager of URC Balayan. (L-R, standing) Engr. Laverne Olalia, SRA RDE Manager III; Juanjo Araneta of Central Azucarera de Tarlac; SRA Board Member Dave Sanson; SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona; and Jay Flores of LUZONFED.*SRA photoA coordinated anti-pest campaign has slashed red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestations in Luzon sugar farms, prompting  growers and millers to   pledge “total support” for the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).Sugar farmers and millers from Luzon met with SRA officials in Tagaytay last week to discuss the R...

A 20-year-old farmer was shot dead by an unidentified suspect while preparing food for his live-in partner’s birthday celebration in San Carlos City late Friday night, July 3.Police identified the victim only by the alias “Jericho.”The shooting happened at around 11 p.m. in Sitio Balangbang, Brgy. Codcod.The San Carlos City police said the victim was making rice cakes when a single burst of gunfire was heard outside their kitchen.He sustained gunshot wounds to the right temple and neck and was rushed by the San Carlos City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to the San Carlos City Hospital, where he was declared dead.Police said the suspect fled immediately after the attack.Investigators recovered three spent 12-gauge shotgun shells from the crime scene an...