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Police arrested 163 wanted persons and confiscated P12.8 million worth of shabu and smuggled cigarettes in a series of anti-criminality operations conducted across the Negros Island Region from March 1 to 14.The accomplishments were part of its Simultaneous Anti-Criminality and Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO) aimed at intensifying the campaign against criminal activities in the region, the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) reported on Monday, March 16.Authorities reported that 151 operations against wanted persons led to the arrest of 163 individuals, including 43 most wanted persons and 120 other wanted persons.In the campaign against illegal drugs, the police conducted 107 operations that resulted in the arrest of 126 drug personalities.Those arres...

A 73-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease was found dead in Brgy. San Jose, Sipalay City, on Monday morning.*Two elderly women were found dead in separate drowning incidents in Sipalay City and Ilog, Negros Occidental, on Sunday and  Monday.A 73-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease was found dead after she drowned in Cansibit Pit in Purok Malipayon, Brgy. San Jose, Sipalay City, on Monday morning, March 16.Police identified the victim as Paula Sagmon, a resident of Don Jaime Village in Brgy. San Jose.The incident was reported to authorities at about 12:03 p.m. after the barangay captain informed police about a body found floating in the pit.The victim’s son, Thomas Sagmon, told the police the victim had left their house at around 3 a.m. on March 14.He sa...

A 68-year-old watchman was shot dead by an unidentified gunman in Purok Matam-is, Brgy. Busay, Bago City, Negros Occidental, Sunday afternoon, March 15.Police identified the victim as alias “Fred,” of Purok Gumamela in Brgy. Busay.Initial investigation by the Bago City Police Station showed that the victim was riding his Kawasaki motorcycle and had just left the residence of the barangay captain on his way to Hacienda Solinap where he worked as a watchman.While traveling along the road, the victim was shot by an unidentified suspect who immediately fled.Police said the suspect was riding a black Yamaha Mio motorcycle and was wearing a blue jacket and black helmet.The victim was rushed to Bago City Hospital but was declared dead by the attending physician.Authorities...

Fire destroyed approximately eight hectares of sugarcane land in Hacienda Constancia, Brgy. 5, Isabela, Negros Occidental, 11:08 p.m. Sunday, March 15.The Isabela police, together with Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel, proceeded to the area to verify the report and assist in the emergency response.The fire was officially declared under control at around 12:56 a.m. on Monday, March 16.The BFP said the agricultural fire spread quickly due to strong winds, which drove the flames rapidly across the plantation.The hacienda administrator estimated that around eight hectares of sugarcane were burned, with total damages reaching approximately ₱2 million.Authorities said the full extent of the damage and the exact cause of the fire remain under investigation by the Bure...

Forest fires triggered by  Kanlaon Volcano’s minor explosive eruption as seen from Canlaon City Sunday night.* Ethan Asentista photo Forest fires were raging on the slopes of Kanlaon Volcano following a moderately explosive eruption at 6:07 p.m. Sunday, March 15, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.Fifty-four barangays in ten local government units in Negros Occidental were affected by ashfall and, in some areas, by sulfuric odor, caused by the eruption, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported.The 10 LGUs are Binalbagan, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Hinigaran, Isabela, San Carlos, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Pontevedra, and Ilog.Mayor Añejo Nicor said about 60 percent of La Castellana’s barangays, including the ...

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has announced an updated fare hike guide for Provincial Public Utility Buses (PUBs) effective Saturday, March 14.The approved adjustments have already been reflected and incorporated in the newly issued Fare Guide to ensure uniform implementation across all provincial bus operators and routes, the LTFRB announced on its website Saturday.Under the updated Fare Guide, the following provisional fare adjustments shall apply:• PUB Provincial (Airconditioned) – Provisional fare increase of ₱0.35 per kilometer.• PUB Provincial (Super Deluxe) – Provisional fare increase of ₱0.35 per kilometer.• PUB Provincial (Deluxe) – Provisional fare increase of ₱0.35 per kilometer.• PUB Provincial (Luxury) – Provisional fare increase of ₱...

The scene of the crime*Police have filed murder and illegal firearms charges against three suspects linked to the shooting to death of a former barangay tanod in Brgy. 22, Bacolod City, on Friday, March 13. The victim was identified as Ruben Altamera, 55, a resident of Purok Gahili-ugyon, Barangay 23, Bacolod City. Authorities arrested the suspects identified only as siblings “Jeremy” and “Jun Jun,” and their brother-in-law “Jonathan.” The suspects were arrested during a hot pursuit operation and later traced to a boarding house in Brgy. 20. Police recovered a KG9 firearm, a .38 caliber revolver, and ammunition from the suspects. Investigation showed Jeremy allegedly shot the victim while Altamera was sitting at a stall in Barangay 22. Legada said Jeremy reportedly approached the victim...