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Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya (right) turns over the symbolic key for the donation of the two Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) vehicles to city police director Col. Joeresty Coronica at the Government Center grounds on Wednesday.*The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) got a boost in its mission capability through the two Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) vehicles worth about PHP6.5 million donated by the city government on Wednesday, Oct. 29.In a statement, Mayor Greg Gasataya said the armored tactical vehicles, considered the first-of-its-kind in the Negros Island Region, represent a firm step for Bacolod towards strengthening its defense against crime and disorder.“These are symbols of the city’s readiness and determination to give our law enforcers the capability to res...

A previously convicted drug offender was arrested Wednesday, Oct. 29, after authorities served a warrant for another violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9165).The man had been on probation following his initial conviction.The operation was carried out by Kabankalan City policemen under the supervision of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) at the Kabankalan City District Jail in Brgy. 2.The suspect, identified only as “Gref,” 45, resident of Brgy. 6, was served the warrant for violating Sections 5 (sale), 11 (possession), and 15 (use) of RA 9165.Police records showed that “Gref” had been granted probation after his conviction for another drug case in 2020.However, he later violated the terms of his probation, pr...

The police arrested the fourth most wanted person in Negros Oriental during a joint manhunt operation in Brgy. Mabigo, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, on Sunday afternoon, October 26.The operation was conducted by operatives of the Guihulngan City Police Station, 4th Mobile Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion – Negros Island Region (RMFB-NIR), and the Canlaon City Police Station.Authorities served a no-bail warrant of arrest issued by Acting Presiding Judge Arville Guyod Delgado of Regional Trial Court, Branch 64, Guihulngan City.He is now detained at the Canlaon City Police Station for legal processing.*

The polluted waters of Bais City after the distillery spill.*EMB NIR photoThe collapse of a wall at the 20-hectare lagoon of a Gokongwei-owned distillery in Bais City, Negros Oriental, due to earthquake-induced cracks exacerbated by heavy rains, has caused wastewater to spill into 400 hectares of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS), an Environment Management Bureau (EMB) official said on Tuesday, Oct. 28.The EMB Negros Island Region (NIR) issued a notice of violation with interim cease and desist order on Monday against the Universal Robina Corporation (URC) Bais Distillery after 15-meters of its lagoon wall containing spent wash collapsed on Sunday, Vicente Losbañes, EMB-NIR acting director, said.But even before the order was issued URC already voluntarily shut down th...

Moises Padilla Vice Mayor Pimpoy Yulo vist the family of the victim Tuesday night.*A 6-year-old Grade 1 pupil died after he was hit by a stray bullet in an encounter between the 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers and New People’s Army rebels in Moises Padilla town, Negros Occidental, Tuesday morning, Oct. 28.The child who was a pupil at the Agogolo Elementary School was hit in the head during the encounter at Sitio Inangao Brgy. Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Garcia Yulo said.MoiseS Padilla Vice Mayor Pimpoy Yulo went to the funeral home Tuesday evening to provide financial assistance to the family of the victim.They are deeply saddened by the death of the child, the mayor said.*

Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. and Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson (right) at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City on Monday.* Richard Malihan photoGov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Tuesday, Oct. 28, that he will ask officials of towns and cities in Negros Occidental to check on buildings in their areas to ensure that they can withstand earthquakes.Lacson was reacting to the statement of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Teresito Bacolcol on Monday that the Negros Trench is capable of generating a massive magnitude 8.2 earthquake.Bacolcol said a magnitude 8.2 earthquake at the Negros Trench is capable of rocking the entire Negros Island.The Negros Trench is an oceanic trench located west of the Negros Island Region....

The Burgos Roman Catholic Cemetery is not covered by the visiting hours rule set by the city government.*Ronnie Baldonado photoVisiting hours at Bacolod City public cemeteries on All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day will be from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., City Administrator Mark Mayo said on Tuesday.They expect an influx of visitors at the cemeteries from October 31 to November 2, he said.Mayo said firearms, bladed weapons and alcoholic beverages will not be allowed in Bacolod cemeteries.The Burgos Roman Catholic Cemetery is not covered by the visiting hours rule set by the city government because it is a private cemetery, he said.It will be up to the management of private cemeteries to set their visiting hours rules, Mayo added.*

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the NOCHP anniversary program.*Richard Malihan photoGov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the patients served by the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP) as of September this year reached 52,454, a significant leap from 6,885 in 2024.Lacson, who spoke at the NOCHP 15th anniversary program at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City on Tuesday, Oct. 28, also said the total availment as of September this year reached ₱78,295,719, surpassing the ₱74,133,990 recorded for the entire year of 2024.“More than statistics, these numbers represent stories of healing, of relief, and public service that truly work for our constituents,” he said.“As we move forward, the challenge remains: to strengthen our health systems, expand our coverage, and cont...

The Bacolod City government, through an inter-agency team spearheaded by the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD)–Anti-Mendicancy Task Force, facilitated the safe return of 19 Badjao individuals to their hometown in Jolo, Sulu on Monday night, October 27.The group, which included seven minors accompanied by their parents, had been rescued during a series of operations against mendicancy conducted across major areas in the city on October 11, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.Two of the individuals were earlier identified in a viral video harassing jeepney passengers.One of them, Den-Den Mareta, who was seen spitting and attempting to kick a passenger who refused to give money, was apprehended following the directive of Mayor Greg G...

A 26-year-old man was arrested after allegedly robbing a house and being caught with suspected shabu in Brgy. Gargato, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Monday afternoon, October 27.The police identified the suspect as alias “Casio,” single, jobless, and a resident of Sitio Punong, Brgy. Gargato.The victim, a 56-year-old man from Fontana Subdivision in Brgy. Gargato, had just returned home from the market when he noticed the suspect leaving his residence carrying several valuable items.The victim immediately sought help from a neighbor, who alerted the subdivision guard.The guard managed to apprehend the suspect before he could escape.Responding officers from the Hinigaran Municipal Police Station verified the report and conducted an on-site investigation.The police sai...