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The area where the slain man was found.*A 29-year-old man was found dead after he was allegedly abducted from his home and later shot in a remote area of Sitio Capanuyan, Brgy. Minapasuk, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, police said Friday, March 6.The victim, a resident of Brgy. Marcelo, Calatrava, sustained a gunshot wound to the head.Police identified one of the suspects as alias “Toto” or “Eliot,” a resident of Purok Kawayan, Brgy. Minapasuk, who was with an unidentified male suspect.The suspects allegedly arrived at the victim’s residence at around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, and forcibly took to the mountainous area of Sitio Capanuyan.Authorities said the victim was shot in the head upon reaching the area.The incident was reported to the police by the baran...

The fire at Purok Lampirong Compound, Barangay 2 in Bacolod City on Thursday.* Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade photoA midday blaze ripped through a "Red Zone" community in Purok Lampirong Compound, Barangay 2, on Thursday, March 5, leaving 90 people homeless. The Bacolod City Fire Department reported that the blaze hit 29 houses, 20 of which were destroyed and nine were damaged. Firefighters rescued an injured dog in the blaze. Purok Lampirong Compound is a Red Zone or fire-prone area, Bacolod Fire Marshal Jenny Mae Masip said. The houses made of light materials were built close to each other with narrow pathways, Masip said. Their firetrucks arrived in the area at 1:18 p.m., the fire was placed under control at 1:23 p.m. and they declared it out at 1:29 p.m., she said. The fire started...

Bacolod City Veterinary Office personnel administering first aid.*CVO photoA dog is recovering after being rescued by firefighters from the fire that hit Purok Lampirong Compound , Brgy 2, Bacolod City, Thursday afternoon, March 5.The Bacolod City Veterinary Office (CVO) said the dog — a medium-sized female with brown fur estimated to be between one and two years old — was found alone at the scene with no owner in sight.The canine survivor sustained superficial burn wounds and received immediate first aid from the responding fire team.Upon her arrival at the city’s veterinary facility, staff meticulously cleaned her injuries with cool water and initiated a regimen of medication, a CVO Facebook post said.The dog is currently in stable condition, and they remain highly op...

The site of the housing project in Brgy. Napoies, Bago City.* Barbara Mijares photoOne hundred four members of Kapatiran, the former Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM/RPA-ABB), in Negros are the new beneficiaries of housing projects as part of their peace agreement with the government.Groundbreaking ceremonies for the 33 houses to be built in Brgy. Napoles, Bago City, and 71 in Brgy. Damgo, E.B. Magalona, were held on Thursday, March 5.Each house and lot will cost ₱850,000 for a total project value of ₱88.4 million, Ricky Gozon, a Kapatiran Farm Workers Association director, saidThe house and lot packages will be given free to each beneficiary under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, ...

Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez meeting with the fire victims on Thursday*Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelado “Albee” Benitez personally distributed ₱5,000 in cash assistance to each of the 200 families temporarily sheltered at the Barangay 39 Gymnasium, from his own funds, on Thursday, March 5.The assistance was given directly to the heads of the affected families to help them address their urgent needs as they begin to recover from the tragedy, Bacolod Councilor Caesar Distrito, spokesman of Benitez, said .During his visit, Benitez also held a dialog with the fire victims to listen to their concerns and discuss possible long-term solutions to their current situation.He was accompanied by Barangay Captain Dante Danoy.As part of these efforts, Benitez said he will person...

The river where the body of the missing child was found*A 13-year-old Grade 7 student who was reported missing after school was found dead in a river in Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday morning, March 5.Police said the victim, a resident of Brgy. Binubuhan, failed to return home on Wednesday, prompting his family to search for him.The boy’s body was discovered the following morning in a river along a canal of the National Irrigation Authority in Hacienda Mercedes, Brgy. Ma-ao.Authorities said the student was found wearing only his underwear.Bago City police chief, Lt. Col. James Latayon, said the student reportedly arrived late at school on Wednesday and decided not to attend classes.Instead, he allegedly went to the river to swim.Witnesses told polic...

Board Member Genaro Alvarez IV, PDRRMO head Irene Bel Ploteña, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II (l-r) cut the ribbon at the inauguration.*Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the blessing and inauguration of the upgraded Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) facilities and equipment at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City on Thursday, March 5.The P20.4 million investment in facilities and equipment represents the province's continuous commitment to rapid response and the safety of all Negrenses, the governor said.Inaugurated were a newly constructed PDRRMO vehicle hub worth P8.9 million and the rehabilitated PDRRMO Training Center at a cost of P8.3 million.An emergency transport service...

Three people died in separate vehicular incidents in different parts of Negros Occidental on Wednesday, March 4, police said.One of the fatalities was a 12-year-old boy who was hit by a van in Brgy. Tinampa-an, Cadiz City.The minor was crossing the road in front of a convenience store when he was hit by a Suzuki utility vehicle van driven by a 33-year-old man from Sagay City, the Cadiz police reported..Police said the vehicle was traveling from Victorias City toward Escalante City when the incident happened.The victim fell on the cemented pavement and sustained injuries on different parts of his body.He was rushed to the Cadiz City District Hospital where he was pronounced dead.Meanwhile, a man died in a motorcycle self-inflicted incident in Purok Mainuswagon, Brgy....