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A body was found in a National Irrigation Authority dam in Hacienda Leoncia, Brgy. Consing, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, January 7.The victim was identified as Richard Robles Occeña, 46, a laborer from Hacienda Calaptan, Brgy. San Isidro, EB Magalona, the police said.The police said Ronald Pillon went fishing on January 1 and saw something floating in the area but did not pay attention because he thought it was a dead animal.When he went back to fish on January 7 there was a foul odor and when he went closer he discovered that the cadaver was that of a person.The cadaver was then brought to St. Katherine Funeral Homes in Brgy. 2-Poblacion, EB Magalona, and subjected to a post mortem examination, the police said.*

Three persons were apprehended and suspected shabu valued at P170,000 was seized in Purok Indian Mango, Brgy. 6, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, January 7.Nabbed was Karl Marlon Segura Gebusion, alias Karen, 20, who was the subject of the buy bust operation, Philip John Buenviaje Alvarez, 23, and Mark Jezer Gilvero, 26, all of Kabankalan City, a police report said Sunday.Seized were 14 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, including the buy bust item, with estimated weight of 25 grams valued at P170,000, the report said.The arrested suspects and recoveries are now under the custody of the Kabankalan police.*

Three alleged high-ranking members of the New People’s Army were apprehended in Sitio Pinamactinan, Barangay Cambayobo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, Friday night, January 6.Arrested were Felix Susas Jr., alias Jun and Rigor, 45, secretary of the defunct Northern Negros Front (NNF) and former commanding officer of the Regional Security Force-Komiteng Rehiyon Negros; Cheryl Cantero Catalogo, alias Celo, 27, NFF education staff; and Jalen Susas, alias Cristel, Izumi and Cg, 35, NFF medical and education staff, the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army reported on Saturday.Seized from the three were two .45-caliber pistols with two magazines and seven rounds of live ammunition, one 9mm pistol with magazine, a holster and 18 rounds of live ammunition, four rifle grenades, medi...

The Suzuki Ertiga that hit taxi driver Leonilo Ortillo Borbon.*Police Station 8 photoA 22-year-old Bacolod resident whose vehicle hit and killed a taxi driver will face charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide with damage to property, the police said Sunday, January 8.Miguel Jomari Gardoce Gialogo of Prk Kasilingan, Brgy. Tangub, was driving his Suzuki Ertiga when it hit taxi driver Leonilo Ortillo Borbon, 58, who was crossing Araneta Street fronting City Mall in Brgy Singcang Airport, Bacolod City at 3:40 a.m. Saturday, January 7, PEMSgt. Jose Mira said.Borbon’s body hit the windshield of the Suzuki Ertiga and remained on its hood as Gialogo continued to drive on for about another five kilometers, before stopping at the Caltex gasoline station at BS Aquino Drive-L...

It is hoped that the dismissal of four Negros Occidental provincial government employees from the service will send a strong message to others against committing abuses, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Friday, January 6.Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson dismissed engineers Ramelo Letran, German Abihay and Rezin Palacios, and project development assistant Maria Luisa Abaño of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist for grave misconduct on Tuesday.On July 15, 2022, the four used a Capitol Cab Service vehicle beyond office hours and refused to head back to the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod after a meeting at the Victorias City Hall, the decision dismissing them from the service said.They instead engaged in a drinking spree at a restaurant in Victorias City beyond office...

The Bailes de Luces Festival in La Castellana Thursday night.*Ronnie Baldonado photoGov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is urging Negrenses joining festivals in various parts of Negros Occidental to continue to wear masks and to remain vigilant against COVID-19.Lacson joined the Bailes de Luces Festival in La Castellana town on Thursday night, January 5.While he is happy that fiesta celebrations have resumed after the COVID-19 pandemic, Lacson said the public should not forget that its threat still remains and they should protect themselves, especially in crowded areas.The Sinulog Festival in Kabankalan City kicked off Friday and Cadiz City is set to celebrate its Dinagsa Festival from January 14 to 29.Even if the COVID-19 protocols have eased, the provincial government remains vi...

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz*The Negros Occidental provincial government is aiming to implement the fourth tranche of the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) in July, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Friday, January 6.The SSL was created to upgrade the standard of living of government employees. The law states that the modified salary schedule for civilian personnel and their authorized additional benefits should be implemented in four tranches from 2020 to 2023.Diaz said the provincial government implemented the second and third tranches last year.The provincial government has also adjusted the daily salaries of its casual employees from P477 to P481, he said.The majority of the provincial government’s job order and contract of service employees hav...

The Bacolod City officials in Baguio City.*Councilor Israel Salanga photoThe Bacolod City officials are in Baguio City for their 2023 strategic planning meetings.“I’m setting the direction for the implementation of our legislative agenda so we don’t waste time,” Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said Friday, January 6.Benitez said his priority for Bacolod is job creation.In Baguio with the mayor are Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and the city councilors.Only Councilor Celia Flor who is in the United States and Councilor Kalaw Puentevella who had a previous commitment were not present, Familiaran said.Familiaran said they are discussing the problems of the city that need to be addressed, including water and electricity concerns.Beni...