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A scenic view of the Energy Development Corporation's geothermal power plant in Valencia, Negros Oriental, with lush, green forests in the background.*Mary Judaline Flores Partlow photoThe Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is conducting consultations in several Negros Oriental towns regarding the proposed declaration of Mt. Talinis and Cuernos de Negros as a protected area.Manric Barillo, provincial head of the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), said Monday, Oct. 27, that several barangays in Valencia, Dauin, Zamboanguita and Siaton have been identified as being inside the proposed zone.“The barangay consultations are part of the Protected Area Suitability Assessment or PASA being undertaken by the DENR to determine whether the Mt. Talinis/C...

Police operatives from the Maria Municipal Police Station successfully arrested the Most Wanted Person (Regional Level) of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) in Purok Mangga, Barangay Poblacion, Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay, on Saturday, Oct. 25.The Siquijor Police Provincial Office said the operation was carried out in coordination with the Police Regional Office 10, the Siquijor Provincial Mobile Force Platoon, and the Lanao del Norte Police Intelligence Team (PIT-RIU 10).The police arrested a 45-year-old farmer by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Alejandro Bahonsua Jr. of Regional Trial Court, Branch 46 in Larena, Siquijor.No bail was recommended.The suspect, who had been evading authorities for several years, is now under police custody....

The arrested suspect.*A 43-year-old man was shot in the leg after attempting to pacify a drunk person during a drinking session in Brgy. Guinpanaan, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, on Sunday night, Oct. 26.The police identified the victim as Claro Famoso, a resident of Sitio Ubay, Brgy. Guinpanaan, while the suspect was identified as Reuel Tingson, 40, of Brgy. 5, Poblacion, Moises Padilla.The victim and the suspect were drinking with a friend who reportedly became unruly and caused a disturbance, the police reported.When the victim tried to pacify him, the suspect allegedly drew a 9mm revolver and shot Famoso, hitting him in the right leg, the police said.The suspect immediately fled after the shooting.The victim was rushed to the Moises Padilla Municipal Health...

Ten police officers from across Negros Island were recognized for their outstanding performance and dedication to duty during a Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) awarding ceremony at Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City, on Monday, Oct. 27.The ceremony honored the exemplary contributions of police officers who demonstrated courage, integrity, and professionalism in law enforcement operations that led to the arrest of wanted persons, confiscation of illegal drugs, and seizure of unlicensed firearms, a press release from PRO-NIR said.Among those recognized were officers from Canlaon City, Santa Catalina, Pontevedra, E.B. Magalona, and Dumaguete City police stations, who received medals for gallantry, excellence, and meritorious service ...

The cracks that appeared in Barangay Mambaroto, Sipalay City, following the October 7 Magnitude 5.1 earthquake are increasing in number and getting bigger, Sipalay City Disaster Risk Reduction Management coordinator  Dionelo Bogtae said on Monday, Oct. 27. * Metro Manila isn't the only area that could be hit by the "Big One", the threat of a massive earthquake also looms in Negros Island.The Negros Trench is capable of generating a massive magnitude 8.2 earthquake, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Teresito Bacolcol, who was in Bacolod on Monday, Oct. 27, said.The Negros Trench is an oceanic trench located northeast of the Sulu Trench and west of the Negros Island Region in the Visayas, ...

Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol during an interview in Bacolod City on Monday.*Kanlaon Volcano has emitted ash 20 times since June, the latest of which occurred from 1:48 p.m. to 1:52 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27.Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Teresito Bacolcol, who was in Bacolod on Monday, said they expect more ash emissions and moderate explosive eruptions at Kanlaon Volcano, similar to the one that happened on Friday, which are consistent with its Alert Level 2 status.The ash emission on Monday generated grayish plumes that rose up to 150 meters above the crater before drifting to the west, Phivolcs reported.Ash fall was observed within the Energy Development Corp. area in Mailum, Bago, said Dr. Merijene Ortizo, Bago City Disaster ...

The area where the teenager’s body was found at the reclamation area in Bacolod City.*Romeo Subaldo photoThe Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) confirmed that the 17-year-old trainee found dead in the reclamation area in Bacolod City last week died of asphyxia by ligature or strangulation, based on the results of the autopsy released Monday, Oct. 27.PRO-NIR Regional Director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, in a press conference, said that semen was also found on the victim’s genitals, suggesting she may have been sexually assaulted before being killed.The victim, whose name is being withheld by DIGICAST NEGROS, was found hogtied and half-naked in a grassy portion of Brgy. 12, Bacolod City, on October 22.She was a trainee with a local construction company a...

PRO-NIR Regional Director Brig. Gen. Thomas Arnold Ibay at the press conference on Monday*The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has activated its “Ligtas Undas 2025” security and public safety operations to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and safe observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.PRO-NIR Regional Director Brig. Gen. Thomas Arnold Ibay at a press conference on Monday, Oct. 27, said 900 personnel will be mobilized across the region.The deployment includes members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and volunteer groups.Ibay said security coverage will focus on 186 cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria, as well as 23 bus stations, three ...

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. and Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya (l-r) at the signing of the MOU.*Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the establishment of a Community-Based Flood Early Warning System (CBFEWS) in Bacolod City.The signing took place during the 2025 Handa Pilipinas Visayas leg at the SMX Convention Center on Monday morning, Oct. 27."This is a vital step toward data-driven, science-based, and informed decision-making in times of calamities and emergencies," Gasataya said.Seven major rivers in Bacolod City will soon be equipped with monitoring devices, and nine rain gauges will be installed across the city, he said.“This equipment will provide real-tim...