Top Stories

The former NPA members took their oath of allegiance to the Philippine government*Nineteen suspected members of the New People’s Army in central Negros surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion at its headquarters  in Brgy. Tambo, Ayungon, Negros Oriental, on Saturday, July 2.The former NPA members took their oath of allegiance to the government to officially cut their ties with the rebel group, the Army said. They also burned the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) flag.The 19 rebel surrenderers, whose identities were withheld for their safety, will undergo assessment and debriefing to avail of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program assistance.They were fed ...

Agnes Lira Jundos*Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez confirmed that he has appointed Agnes Lira Jundos as the new city public information officer.Jundos was a reporter for ABS-CBN Bacolod from 1988 to 1999, and manager of the station from 2000 to 2004.She served as Bacolod  public information officer during the terms of mayors Monico Puentevella and Evelio Leonardia.Jundos was also consultant of the Talisay City Public Information Office under Mayor Neil Lizares.She is a media educator and an advocate for marriage, family and life.*

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez signed Executive Order No. 001 Series of 2022 on Friday, July 1*Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez has released his first executive order creating the Bacolod City Good Governance Committee of 2022, which is tasked to actively investigate reports of graft and corruption.Benitez in Executive Order No. 001 Series of 2022 signed Friday, July 1, and released Saturday, said the committee will be chaired by City Legal Officer  Romeo Carlos Ting Jr.The members will be City Administrator Pacifico Maghari III  and City Internal Auditor Jose Ray Agpangan.Benitez said to restore the public’s trust and confidence in the local government, he has resolved “to pursue measures towards good governance, as well as a clean transpare...

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez takes his oath before Granada Barangay Captain Alfredo Talimodao in the presence of his son Victorias City mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, daughter Bettina Marie and wife Dominique Lopez Benitez (l-r)* Ronnie Baldonado photoMayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez vowed that there will be no sacred cows in his fight against corruption and outlined his priorities for change in his inaugural speech at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds Friday evening, July 1.Bacolod can become a super city - a global city with a diversified economy and skilled human resource, and a model for green development and good governance, because nothing is impossible if everyone works together, he also said.The biggest portion of the city government’s budget will be for h...

All of the representatives from Cebu and Iloilo registered no objections to the NIR, Rep. Francisco Benitez said.*Members of the Visayan bloc in the House of Representatives are supporting the bill seeking the creation of the Negros Island Region (NIR), Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said Friday, July 1.All of the representatives from Cebu and Iloilo registered no objections   during the Visayan bloc meeting at the end of the 18th Congress, he said.They are willing to support the bill, Benitez said.The Visayan bloc is reconvening for the 19th Congress with some new members as others have graduated, he added.Benitez said he is gathering all the signatures for the filing of the bill on Monday or Tuesday.Twelve congressmen  from Negros ...

Crisanto Caballero after he fell from the roof of a house.* San Carlos BFP photoA man died from electrocution at Barangay 6 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, Thursday, June 30.The fatality was identified as Crisanto Caballero, 45, who was repairing the roof of a house when he touched an open wire.He fell from the roof after being electrocuted and sustained a head injury, the police said.He was rushed to a hospital where he died.Meanwhile, barangay watchman Steve Decolongon, 51, sustained injuries following a fire on Burgos-Gatuslao street, Purok Kadena De Amor, Barangay 11 in Bacolod City, Friday, July 1.The victim, who was asleep when the fire happened, suffered minor burns on the chest, face, right hand, and left shoulder.The victim’s brother was preparin...

A suspected member of the New People’s Army died in an encounter with state troopers at  Sitio Tamusi, Brgy. Talalak in Negros Oriental on Friday, July 1.A composite team of the 11th Infantry (Lapu-Lapu) Battalion of the Philippine Army, 705th Maneuver Company and the Sta. Catalina Police Station encountered the rebel group that resulted to an eight-minute firefight.The clash resulted to the death of a rebel and recovery of one KG9 rifle with magazine and 20 rounds ammunition, a magazine of an  M-16 rifle with eight rounds ammunition, a magazine of .45 caliber pistol with three rounds ammunition, a bandolier, two handheld radios, a backpack, and subversive documents containing high intelligence value, the Army said.*

The scene of the crime in Barangay Poblacion, San Enrique.*A fish vendor was gunned down by two unidentified men at the corner of Pescadora-Candelaria streets in Barangay Poblacion, San Enrique, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, June 30.The fatality was identified as 57-year-old Alejandro Azcarrate of Brgy. Nayon, San Enrique.The victim was on his way home on board a motorcycle when he was shot in the head by the two assailants, the police said.Both suspects were said to be wearing black jackets and were on board a motorcycle, which had no plate number.Recovered from the scene were three. 45 caliber cartridge cases and the belongings of the victim.The police are still investigating the motive for the killing.*