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Ronnie Baldonado file photoMayor Richard Jaojoco said on Sunday, May 3, that the United States’ security alert following an encounter that left 19 dead in Toboso could have a backlash on future investments in the town .The US Embassy on Friday warned Americans traveling in Negros to avoid any affiliation with terrorist or insurgent groups.It said mountainous regions of Negros are considered areas of heightened concern.Jaojoco said in the past Tsunishi Ship Builders has wanted to invest in Toboso but did not do so after inquiring about rebel activity in the area.He called on the rebel movement to end the violence so that there can be economic progress for the people of Toboso.Jaojoco also called on universities sending students to do research in the hinterlands to co...

Persons Deprived of Liberty registering to vote,* NIR Comelec photoThe Negros Island Region voter registration surpassed the 200,000 mark on Saturday, May 2, the Commission on Elections reported.The COMELC NIR said it has registered 206,042 new voter applicants so far.The data indicates a higher turnout among female applicants, who account for 107,911 of the total, compared to the 98,131 males.Among the three provinces, Negros Occidental recorded the highest volume with 141,714 applications, followed by Negros Oriental with 60,487 and Siquijor with 3,841.The increase in registration was bolstered by Week 28 (April 28 – May 2, 2026), which saw 8,021 new applications added to the regional tally.*

Protestors in Bacolod City on Friday.*Ronnie Baldonado photoThe Labor Day observance in the Negros Island Region was peaceful and orderly, with no major incidents recorded, the police said on Saturday, May 2.The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region said more than 2,100 personnel were deployed across the region to secure Labor Day activities.Police said security measures included enhanced police visibility, checkpoints, and the prepositioning of Civil Disturbance Management contingents and Reactionary Standby Support Force personnel.Among the monitored activities were a peace rally at the Bacolod City Government Center replica at the Bacolod City Public Plaza Friday morning.The police also monitored protest march from South Capitol Road and Rizal Elementary Schoo...

Alias “Jas”, right, after his arrest.*The Rank 4 regional most wanted person for attempted murder was arrested in Bindoy, Negros Oriental, on April 30, the police said.The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region identified the accused as alias “Jas,” 29, a farmer and resident of Bindoy.The warrant of arrest was served by the Bindoy Municipal Police Station in Brgy. Domolog.Police said the accused allegedly stabbed one of his two friends during a confrontation reportedly linked to a past incident that caused his disability.One victim sustained stab wounds, while the other was able to evade the attack, police added.Police said he is currently detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology for another case.*

The US Embassy issued a security alert on Friday, May 1, warning Americans traveling in Negros to avoid any affiliation with terrorist or insurgent groups.Areas of heightened concern include the rural, mountainous regions of Negros, Leyte, Mindoro, and Samar, all of which have seen recent fatal clashes between the News People’s Army (NPA) and Philippine forces, it said."U.S. citizens have been present during recent military actions against the NPA. An April 19 armed clash (in Toboso, Negros Occidental) resulted in the deaths of two Americans," it said.Encounters between the 79th Infantry Battalion and the NPA in Toboso on April 19 resulted in the deaths of 19 people, including Americans Lyle Prijoles and Kai Sorem.Prijoles, 40, of San Francisco, was a country council member...

The Labor Day Peace Rally in Bacolod City*A Labor Day Peace Rally condemned the killing of 48 civilians by alleged Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) assassins in Negros Occidental.The rally was held in front of the Bacolod City Government Center replica at the Bacolod City Public Plaza Friday morning, May 1.Jonel Moreno, Sambayanang Negros president, called on the public not to be fooled by the propaganda of the New People’s Army.Joining the rebel movement will not solve the problems of the nation, he said.He said that the 19 people killed in the encounters in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on April 19 were victims of the rotten ideology of the communist movement that drove them to join the rebel movement, which led...

A policeman points to the scene of the crime.*A 58-year-old backhoe operator was shot dead outside his store in Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday afternoon, April 30.The victim identified as alias “Bares” was sitting outside his store in Brgy. Abuanan when the suspect approached and shot him several times at past 3 p.m.. the police said.The incident was witnessed by the victim’s wife, who was also sitting outside the store when the shooting happened.The victim was rushed to a hospital but later died, while the suspect fled.The suspect was wearing a helmet, gray long-sleeved shirt, light skinny maong pants, and blue-and-white tennis shoes.*