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Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (left) talks to the second batch of buyer-beneficiaries of the Asenso Yuhum Residences on Saturday.*PNA/Nanette L. Guadalquiver photoThe Bacolod City government turned over the keys to buyer-beneficiaries of the 64-unit second tower of the Asenso Yuhum Residences, its shelter project under the Pambansang Pabahay Para Sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, in Barangay Vista Alegre on Saturday, March 29.Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who led the turnover rites with other city officials, congratulated the homeowners for making an investment seen to increase in value in the coming years.“This is one program that will greatly benefit the people of Bacolod, a decent and affordable housing, which is being developed into a world-class township,” Benitez...

PMaj. Justin Noel Josol, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bacolod*Two Malaysians are facing charges for qualified human trafficking for alleged involvement in a "love scam", PMaj. Justin Noel Josol, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bacolod, said Sunday, March 30.Josol said the Bacolod City Prosecutor’s Office approved the filing of charges against alias “Sam Phoon,” 60, and alias “Abao” who is in his late 20s.He withheld their real names citing privacy regulations.The two were arrested at Henrietta Village in Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, on Thursday.Five Filipino employees were rescued during their arrest by virtue of a search warrant, he said.The Malaysians were charged for qualified human traf...

The leg of a 1-year-old child was severed while his father was injured after they were hacked by a 42-year-old man in Purok 1, Brgy. Isio, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, March 29.Alias “Rey”, 36, was injured and his 1-year-old child’s leg was cut off after alias “Tata”, 42, hacked them when they sought his help.Investigation revealed that the victim and his live-in partner had an argument resulting in her losing consciousness due to high blood pressure.Rey held his child and sought the help of Tata, who is the brother of his live-in partner, however, the suspect allegedly attacked them with a canecutter.They were brought to the Cauayan District Hospital, and the child was later transferred to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital for further me...

Gasoline and diesel prices are expected to increase by about P1 per liter starting Tuesday, April 1.The Energy Oil Industry Management Bureau of the Department of Energy has projected an increase per liter of P0.85 to P1.35 for gasoline, P0.75 to P1.25 for diesel and P0.95 to P1.10 for kerosene.Unioil Petroleum Philippines forecasted a per liter increase of P0.90 to P1.10 for diesel and P1 to P1.20 for gasoline.*

The police arrested a Murcia resident and seized a gun and suspected shabu worth P340,000 in a buy-bust operation in Purok Minoro, Brgy. Amayco, Murcia, Negros Occidental, Saturday, March 29.Arrested was alias “Crisanto”, 38, of Brgy. Caliban, Murcia.They recovered suspected shabu weighing 50 grams, a 9mm revolver with five rounds of live ammunition and the buy-bust money from him, the police said.The suspect is detained by the Murcia police and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and R.A. 10591 in relation to COMELEC gun ban.*

Fur parents and their pets join the kick-off of the 1st Bacolod Pet Festival at Panaad Park in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, on Saturday .*Falcor Marketing photoFur parents and about 100 cats and dogs joined a pet walk at the Panaad Park in Bacolod City on Saturday, March 29, to kick off the 1st Bacolod Pet Festival in line with the observance of Rabies Awareness Month.Organized by the City Veterinary Office (CVO), the weeklong event, themed “Building a Safe and Rabies-Free Community is Our Shared Responsibility,” advocates rabies awareness, responsible pet ownership and animal welfare.Dr. John Michael Cabuguason, assistant city veterinarian, said the pet festival showcases the commitment and strong collaboration between the government and private sector.“We are very ...

A man drowned in a river while attempting to go home in Hacienda La Purisima, Brgy. E. Lopez in Silay City, Negros Occidental, on Friday, March 28.Alias “Rene”, 48, was found dead in the river near his residence, the police said.The victim joined a drinking session with his family at the house of his uncle and left at about 10 p.m. Friday.An hour later, the victim was found floating in the river near his house.The victim was brought to the Silay City Health Office but was declared dead at about 12 midnight of Friday, the police said.*

Lin-ay sang Negros 2025 Jada Biaxyl Celeste of Victorias City (center) with Ilog's Maxine Louise Martin - first runner-up (right) and Manapla's Julianah Cassandra Makilan - second runner-up.*Ronnie Baldonado photoVictorias City’s  Jada Biaxyl Celeste was crowned the Lin-ay sang Negros 2025 during the 5-hour pageant  at the jampacked Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City Friday night, March 28.Celeste, 21, an advocate of women empowerment and gender equality, bested  26 candidates representing various towns and cities of Negros Occidental during the coronation night that drew a crowd of 9,000.She received P80,000, a full scholarship from the provincial government, among other prizes.It was a back-to-back win for Victorias as the city's contestant last year, Kyla Rose Roma...

Illegally posted campaign materials being removed in Bacolod City.*The Commission on Elections is issuing notices to officials in more than 20 barangays in Bacolod City for allowing the illegal posting of campaign materials in barangay halls and government facilities, Election Officer Revo Sorbito said on Friday, March 28.Barangay halls and other government facilities such as gyms are not included in the designated common poster areas.Comelec-Bacolod personnel led the removal of illegally posted posters and tarpaulins of the candidates on Friday, the start of the campaign period.Sorbito said they are scheduled to send notices to more than 20 barangay officials who were found violating the Fair Elections Act.Sorbito explained that although the Comelec now allows baranga...

 Malaysians allegedly involved in a "love scam"  were arrested and seven Filipinos were rescued at Henrietta Village,  Barangay Singcang-Airport in Bacolod City, on Thursday, March 27.           The Malaysians  identified only as alias  “Sam Phoon,” 60,  and alias “Abao” who is in his late 20’s were charged for violation of   human trafficking before the Bacolod City Prosecutors Office,   PMaj. Justin Noel Josol, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bacolod, said. They were arrested by virtue of a search warrant, following CIDG surveillance operations for more than a month.The  suspects rented a house which they used as a studio to lure victims who are foreign nat...