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The Land Transportation Office–Negros Island Region reported zero violations and full compliance during simultaneous transport inspections in Bacolod City, Siquijor, and Bais City, Negros Oriental, on Monday, March 23. In Bacolod, 12 personnel conducted inspections at the North and South Ceres terminals, checking private and public utility vehicles for compliance with Republic Act 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code of the Philippines), enforcing the “No Registration, No Travel” policy and anti-colorum operations. A total of 13 buses were inspected, all of which passed, with no apprehensions or Temporary Operator’s Permits issued. At the Siquijor Port Terminal, eight vehicles, including motorcycles and for-hire units, were inspected and cleared, while in Bais City, four vehicles als...

A 65-year-old fisherman was found dead after drowning in the seawaters of Brgy. Linaon, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, on Sunday morning, March 22. Police said the victim left his residence around 2 p.m. on March 21 to catch octopus but failed to return home. His family conducted a search the following morning, and a neighbor later discovered his lifeless body floating about 50 to 60 meters from the shoreline. The victim’s sister reported the incident to Cauayan police at around 10:50 a.m., prompting authorities to investigate. Police said the victim previously had a stroke, and his family had tried to stop him from going out earlier. No foul play was indicated in the incident.*

The recovered items from the encounter.* 47th IB photo Three New People’s Army rebels, allegedly responsible for a string of killings and arson, were killed in an encounter with 47th Infantry “Katapatan” Battalion troops in Barangay Tampalon, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, about 4 a.m. Saturday, March 21.The 47th IB operating under the 302nd Infantry “Achiever” Brigade engaged about five to seven remnants of the NPA in a two-minute gunbattle and recovered five high powered firearms and a grenade, Lt. Col. Dennis Martinez, 47th IB commander, said.Killed were Milky Sampini alias Gorting - a squad leader, Ritchie Verano alias Makoy and Akiro, and Joedil Balsimo alias Junjun and Cairo, who were part of the dismantled South West Front and Regional Strike Force of...

The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) has activated a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to conduct an intensified region-wide manhunt for the killer of a Himamaylan City job order worker, who also worked as a community radio block-timer.Julito “Jaz” Diamante Calo, 49, who was the host of Waswasanay sa Quinto Distrito aired on 88.3 DNN News FM based in Himamaylan City, was killed in Barangay Robles, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on Friday, March 20.The Presidential Task Force on Media Security on Sunday, March 22, issued a statement condemning the killing of Calo.“Such an attack on a journalist poses a significant threat to press freedom and the safety of journalists in our country,” it said.“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, fr...

Kanlaon Volcano spewing ash on Saturday* Jezreel Gonzales photoKanlaon Volcano emitted ash 15 times for a combined total of 16 hours and 16 minutes from Friday night to Sunday, March 22, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.The ash emissions mean the magma within the volcano has been able to degas, Ma. Antonia Bornas, chief of the Phivolcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division, said on Saturday.It means the pathways of the volcanic gas are not blocked, which reduces the pressure that could trigger an explosion, Bornas said.But that does not mean the unrest at Kanlaon has lowered, it is still under Alert Level 2. They are still expecting a major eruption from Kanlaon but they do not know when, she added.The ash emi...

The drug bust in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental*An incumbent barangay councilor and two other high-value individuals were arrested in a buy-bust operation that led to the dismantling of a drug den in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, on Friday afternoon, March 20.Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office conducted the operation at around 2:35 p.m. in Sitio Nagbagang, Brgy. Poblacion.Police identified the suspects as alias “Daniel,” 29, a barangay councilor and alleged drug den maintainer; alias “Alex,” 27; and alias “Sheldon,” 23.Another suspect identified as alias “Joseph” remains at large and is the subject of a manhunt.Authorities said the operation stemmed from intelligence reports linking the group to ille...

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Negros Island Region (DSWD NIR) has distributed a total of ₱1,124,184,216.00 in Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) payouts as of Sunday, March 22, benefitting 191,912 individuals affected by Typhoon Tino. Among the local government units served, Himamaylan City received the highest disbursement at ₱161,831,985.00 for 30,129 beneficiaries, followed by Hinigaran with ₱142,721,236.00 for 23,636 individuals. Other significant payouts include the City of Bago with ₱127,318,814.00 for 22,294 beneficiaries, Binalbagan with ₱123,854,570.00 for 22,750 beneficiaries, and La Castellana with ₱106,050,553.00 for 18,521 individuals. In Isabela, ₱96,933,578.00 was released to 14,602 beneficiaries, while the City of La Carlota saw ₱92,808,534.00 distributed amon...

A motorcycle rider died after crashing into a truck along the national highway in Brgy. Sta. Rosa, Murcia, Negros Occidental, on Saturday morning, March 21.Police identified the victim as “Ben,” a resident of Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City.The driver of the truck was identified as “Nilfredo,” 52, a resident of Don Salvador Benedicto.Police said the motorcycle was traveling from Murcia proper toward Don Salvador Benedicto when the incident happened.Police investigation showed the rider allegedly attempted to overtake but returned to his lane after encountering an oncoming vehicle.Authorities said the motorcycle then hit the rear of the truck it was following.The rider sustained injuries and was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead.*

The Land Transportation Office-Negros Island Region (LTO-NIR) on Saturday, March 21, clarified that there is no increase in motor vehicle registration fees following claims circulating on social media. LTO-NIR said current registration rates remain unchanged and consistent with existing regulations. Authorities said higher amounts paid by some motorists are often due to penalties from late or delinquent registration. LTO explained that failure to renew registration on time results in fines and accumulated charges, which increase the total payment. The agency also warned that operating an unregistered vehicle may lead to apprehension and additional penalties. The agency also reminded the public to avoid fixers and to transact only through official offices and authorized channels.  Authoriti...