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A sexagenarian who was allegedly carrying a gun was arrested at a police checkpoint in Barangay Talacagay, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, Saturday, December 19.Nabbed was Marlon Aliguin, 65, of Barangay 1, Hinoba-an.A police report showed that the suspect was on board a tricycle and the policemen at the checkpoint saw the handle of the gun, which was tucked in his waist, protruding.The suspect yielded a revolver loaded with five live 9mm ammunition without a serial number. He also failed to present the pertinent documents for the firearm, police report showed.The suspect is now detained at the police station.*

A screenshot of the video produced by San Carlos Diocese in 2019 that featured slain Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan, who expressed concern after being red-tagged.Malacañang Palace expects a speedy investigation into the murder of the Guihulngan City health officer and her husband.Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, at a press briefing with Manila reporters today, December 17, said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is already investigating the killing of Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan, who was also the local Inter-Agency Task Force incident commander, and her husband Edwin Sancelan, a local government employee.“Inaasahan po natin na magiging mabilis yung imbestigasyon nang mahuli na po, malitis, at maparusahan ang pumatay kay doktora (We expect a speedy investigation so that the perpetra...

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia is strongly encouraging everyone to conduct Christmas and New Year gatherings with attendees limited to members of the family living in the same household.Work or non-family related Christmas parties or gatherings are highly discouraged, he said.Virtual get-togethers and Christmas and New Year parties or gatherings held within the premises of one’s home are instead highly encouraged, he added.The mayor stressed these in Executive Order No. 81, Series of 2020, setting guidelines for COVID-19 mitigation and compliance with public health standards during the holidays.In the event that families not living in the same household wish to get together for Christmas and New Year, such gatherings must be held outdoors and with proper observance of physi...

The Department of Health Western Visayas regional director, Dr. Marlyn Convocar, today, December 17, again reminded the public to stay healthy and safe during the holidays.The DOH is encouraging families and communities to avoid the use of firecrackers, especially during the New Year celebration to prevent firework-related injuries, she said.Instead, the public is advised to look for things that can substitute the loud noises that fireworks make such as car horns, playing music, or even banging pots and pans, she said.“These alternatives are simple, safe and fun even for children,” she said.The DOH is also advising parents and guardians to carefully choose the toys and gifts that are safe to be given to children, Convocar said.“It is important to consider age-appropriat...

PDEA-6 photoThe first reformation facility in Negros Occidental was launched today, December 17, in Pulupandan town.Leading the inauguration of the “Balay Silangan” were Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 6 director Edgar Apalla, director Donelyn Hemedez, Pulupandan Municipal Administrator Federico Infante, who represented Mayor Miguel Peña, the provincial police, and barangay officials.This facility will serve as an alternative intervention where drug reformists will be rehabilitated, Apalla said.“Let us maintain our program and projects. Huwag nating pabayaan na bumalik sila sa dati nilang buhay (Let us not allow them to return to their former life),” he added.After the ribbon-cutting and unveiling of the “Balay Silangan” marker, they also signed a “Manifesto o...

Richard Malihan file photoThe Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees today, December 17, thanked Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members for granting the provincial government employees P40,000 in incentives and bonus.“The employees are very grateful…it is a huge blessing,” PACE president Renelo Lastierre said.“We are lucky to receive a bonus despite the (COVID-19) pandemic as a way of rewarding the efforts of the workers,” he said.He cited the sacrifice of the provincial government workers in continuing to serve the public amid the pandemic.The provincial government employees will receive P40,000 in incentives and bonus this week, the governor confirmed to DIGICAST NEGROS Wednesday, Decem...

The moratorium in Bacolod effective December 21 to January 3 means that only LSIs (Locally Stranded Individuals) outside Region 6 (Western Visayas) will be disallowed entry to this City, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) clarified in a press release today, December 17.It is not a lockdown, it stressed.The EOC further clarified that the moratorium is only for LSIs and not for ROFs (Returning Overseas Filipinos), ROFWs (Returning Overseas Filipino Workers), and APORs (Authorized Persons Outside Residence).Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who chairs the Bacolod IATF, said that people should not confuse the "travel suspension" with a "lockdown."“This is a serious matter. We are in crisis. Let’s validate the information shared to us,” the vice mayor stressed.On Dec. 8, the ...

Capitol photoGovernor Eugenio Jose Lacson held off announcing the additional benefits to be given to the Negros Occidental provincial government employees this December at the turning on of the Christmas lights at the Capitol in Bacolod City tonight, December 14.Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer earlier said that the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan had approved the appropriations for the additional benefits today but he would not reveal the amount.Ferrer said he would leave it to the governor to make the announcement tonight, December 14.Lacson, at the turning on of the Christmas lights at the Capitol, said may the lights “remind us of the guiding light of our Savior and the assurance of His love particularly in this time of uncertainty.”He said while the entire w...