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NOCPPO photoSuspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) burned a backhoe in Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City in Negros Occidental Thursday night, March 24.About 30 to 50 armed men used an improvised explosive device (IED) to set the backhoe on fire, the police said.The equipment was owned by Jaime B. Ching Enterprise.The damage incurred to equipment has yet to be determined.*

The Grupo Progreso caravan in Bacolod City Friday, March 25, was estimated at more than 7 kilometers long by organizers.*Archie Alipalo photoThe chaplain of the University of St. La Salle today reminded Mayor Evelio Leonardia and members of the Grupo Progreso (GP) slate to put God first at the center of public service."You are called to be Doulus, servant leaders to the community," Fr. Jerryvel Celestial said in his homily at a mass at the Lupit Church Friday, March 25.The GP mass coincided with the celebration honoring the Solemnity of the Anunciation of the Birth of the Lord.Leonardia thanked Celestial for his reminders to public servants.As a tradition, Leonardia said, the GP starts the official campaign period with a Holy Mass."Just like Mary, you said your F...

A Commission on Elections official on Thursday, March 24, called on all local candidates to keep their campaigns peaceful and to remove all of their illegally posted campaign materials or face charges.Bacolod Comelec Elections Officer Revo Sorbito issued the call on the eve of the start of the campaign period for congressional, provincial, city and municipal candidates.The local campaign period kicks off Friday, March 25, and will end on May 7.Sorbito called on Bacolod bets set to hold separate rallies Saturday to make sure their supporters observe COVID-19 basic health protocols.He also called on the candidates to avoid mudslinging and physical violence to keep their campaigns peaceful.Local candidates were also reminded to remove all illegally posted campaign materia...

Grupo Progreso (GP) led by Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia presented its platform of government for 2022 to 2025 at a press conference in Bacolod City on Thursday, March 24.Its three-pronged program includes health and social services, economy and infrastructure, and a Smart City framework for local governance.Leonardia said their vision is for Bacolod City “to further develop into a more livable, vibrant and resilient city where business and industry shall flourish in a climate of peace and fair competition”.Combating Covid-19 will continue to be their top priority, the GP platform of government said.It is their immediate and long-term plan to build a Medical Complex that will house the new City Health Office, which will have a dialysis center, clinics, birthing facility, p...

The Team Asenso kick-off party to mark the start of the local campaign period will be held at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 26.There will be no national candidates, it will be a purely local campaign event, Team Asenso mayoral bet Alfredo “Albee” Benitez said Thursday, March 24.“We are shying away from national candidates, the focus will be purely local,” he said.Dubbed “Ti-on sg Pagbag-o (Time for change)”, the event will also feature Bamboo, Silent Sanctuary and a surprise celebrity guest, Team Asenso announced.Benitez said he hopes political animosities among some members of rival parties do not escalate.“Let’s try to be peaceful, this is just an election and after that let us all be friends and work together,” he said.“Let’...

About 15,000 residents joined the rally of mayoral candidate Javi Benitez on the eve of the official start of the local campaign in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Thursday night, March 24.The rally dubbed “Sidlak sang masanag nga buasdamlag (the dawn of a bright future), which featured numerous performers, was held at Hacienda Loreto, Barangay 13 in Victorias City.The festive rally ended when rain drenched the crowd before Benitez could deliver his speech.Benitez said it is time for progress in Victorias through change.“My dream for Victorias is a dignified human settlement for all,” he said, where essential needs such as water, electricity and transportation are in place.He also cited a plan to address flooding and to create alternative livelihoods.The need for...

A female rider died after she figured in an accident at Lacson-San Sebastian streets, Barangay 32, Bacolod City, Wednesday night, March 23.Killed was 29-year-old Angelie Pasman, a casual employee of the Bacolod City government, and a resident of Barangay Singcang-Airport.The victim on board a motorcycle and the suspect who was driving a Toyota Innova bumped into each other at the intersection.The victim died on the spot.The name of the suspect was withheld by the police on his request. He is now in police custody.*

Police Station 6 photoA call center agent who was on his way to work was gunned down in front of the Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School in Barangay 31, Bacolod City, Wednesday night, March 23.Killed was Paul Angelo Diesto, 38, of Brgy. 30.Police said the victim parked his vehicle on the side of the road when an unidentified gunman alighted from a gray sedan and shot him multiple times.The police have yet to establish the motive for the killing.*