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The Rafflesia speciosa at Mt. Kanlaon* Israel Malunes photoAmidst the ongoing unrest of Mount Kanlaon, nature has offered a striking reminder of its resilience.A Rafflesia speciosa—one of the country’s rarest, largest and endangered endemic flower species—was recently discovered blooming within the Mount Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP) in Barangay Ilijan, Bago City, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Negros Island Region (DENR-NIR)  reported in a Facebook post Thursday.Measuring an impressive 40.5 centimeters in diameter, the bloom was spotted on June 2 by park ranger Israel Malunes, who shared photos of the remarkable find.Israel Malunes with his rare find*The parasitic flower is said to  last  three  to  five days  and emits a strong odor of rotting fle...

The Department of Education in the Negros Island Region (DepEd-NIR) has registered over 1.1 million students from kindergarten to senior high school for the  2026–2027 school year.As of June 30, the region recorded a total of 1,117,204 enrollees across public and private schools, DepEd-NIR spokesperson Almyr Caezar Dequiña said on Friday, July 3.Dequiña said that the current data is based on a quick count, and official numbers are expected to rise once final enrollment figures are consolidated."The total is expected to increase since 5 percent of the schools have yet to submit their enrollment data," Dequiña said.The region logged 1,185,937 enrollees during the previous 2025–2026 school year.*

A 74-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly shot and killed his 33-year-old son in Isabela, Negros Occidental, on Thursday afternoon, July 2.Police identified the victim as alias “Jr,” a laborer, and the suspect as his father, alias “Asiong,” both residents of Purok Sambag, Brgy. Libas.Initial investigation showed that the victim, his father, and two other individuals were having a drinking session at the victim’s residence.Police said the victim became involved in a heated argument with one of their companions.The father reportedly intervened to pacify them, but his involvement later led to a verbal altercation with his son.The suspect then returned to his residence.Police said the victim later went near a sugarcane field and allegedly shouted a challenge at ...

A 25-year-old lending collector was injured after he was allegedly stabbed by his former co-worker at a roadside eatery in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday afternoon, July 2.Police identified the victim as alias “Janjan,” a resident of Brgy. La Granja, La Carlota City.The suspects were identified as aliases “Rene,” the alleged attacker, and “Rod,” 20, both residents of Talisay City.The incident happened at around 3:15 p.m. along Montinola Street in Brgy. 3.Initial investigation showed that Janjan was seated inside the eatery when a blue motorcycle without a license plate stopped in front of him.Police said the motorcycle driver was wearing a helmet, while the back rider was wearing a tube mask.The two men allegedly called the victim’s attention before ...

A 66-year-old man and his 39-year-old son were injured after they allegedly hacked each other during an altercation in Ilog, Negros Occidental on Thursday night, July 2.The incident happened at around 8 p.m. in Sitio Maabi-abihon, Brgy. Consuelo.Police identified the son as alias “Red,” 39, and his father as alias “Cardo,” 66.Initial investigation showed that Cardo arrived home intoxicated and allegedly caused a disturbance while his son was preparing to sleep.Police said the father became angry after Red told him to keep quiet.Cardo allegedly grabbed a bolo and hacked his son, hitting him on the right hand.Red reportedly armed himself with another bolo and hacked his father on the left hand while defending himself.Both sustained injuries and were brought by Ilo...

The buy-bust operation in Purok Hollow Blocks, Brgy. Singcang-Airport..*PNP photoThree high-value individuals were arrested and about P11.9 million worth of suspected shabu was seized in two separate buy-bust operations in Bacolod City, police said Friday, July 3.The first operation was conducted at around 11:43 p.m. Thursday in Purok Hollow Blocks, Brgy. Singcang-Airport.Personnel of Police Station 8 arrested aliases “Joaquin” and “Mark.”Police recovered about 550 grams of suspected shabu valued at P3.74 million.In a separate operation at around 1 a.m. Friday in Brgy. 12, personnel of Police Station 1 and the City Drug Enforcement Unit arrested alias “Ernesto,” 44.Authorities seized about 1.2 kilograms of suspected shabu valued at P8.16 million.The Bacolod Cit...

Lawyer Norman Golez, Leo Rey Yanson, Olivia Y. Yanson and Ginnette Yanson Dumancas (l-r) at the press conference Thursday night.*New warrants of arrest have been issued against the Yanson 4 in connection with raps filed against them for alleged qualified theft involving more than PHP 803.47 million in corporate funds.This was disclosed by lawyer Norman Golez, who was joined by the family’s matriarch, Olivia V. Yanson, and her two other children, Leo Rey Yanson and Ginnette Yanson-Dumancas, at a press conference at their private beach resort in Brgy. Bubog, Talisay City, Thursday evening, July 2.The latest development in the seven-year family dispute was disclosed as they marked the birthday of the late Ricardo Yanson Sr., who co-founded their bus empire with his wife, Olivia. ...

The area where the body was found in Bago City/*PNP photoThe Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR), through the Bago  City Police Station, has launched a thorough investigation following the discovery and subsequent identification of a male cadaver wrapped in plastic and tape in Barangay Pacol, Bago City, on Thursday morning, July 2.The victim was identified by his siblings and former live-in partner as 26-year-old alias “Mickey,” a resident of Barangay 16, Bacolod City. He was recognized through his distinctive tattoos and the clothing he was wearing.The police said  concerned citizens alerted authorities at approximately 10:45 a.m. regarding a suspicious package in Purok Langka.Responding investigators confirmed the presence of a body wrapped in...

Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya and Vice Mayor Claudio Jesus Puentevella meet with the aggrieved parents.*Top officials of Bacolod City are seeking accountability from private school AMA Computer College Bacolod Campus, which has been facing graduation-related complaints from parents and students and has also been flagged for lack of a business permit.The school became controversial after its 98 senior high school students were allegedly barred from participating in their graduation ceremony on June 24 due to late payment of fees.It was also found out that AMA Computer College Bacolod Campus failed to secure a business permit for 2026.In a statement on Thursday, Bacolod  Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he has filed a resolution seeking to investigate the matter and to s...

Police recovered three abandoned boxes containing illegal  cigarettes estimated to cost P75,000 along the national highway in Sitio Bebang, Barangay General Luna, Toboso, Negros Occidental, on the afternoon of Tuesday,  June 30.The Toboso  Police Station  reported that the operation was initiated after a concerned citizen contacted the station at approximately 3:30 p.m. to report the suspicious items left beside the highway. Toboso policemen immediately proceeded to the area to verify the report. Upon inspection, officers discovered three boxes containing alleged illicit cigarettes.The suspects responsible for leaving the contraband remain unidentified, the police said.All recovered items were properly documented and inventoried, and are currently u...