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Aug212026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Bacolod cops arrest 3, seize P34K in suspected shabu

Three men were arrested and about P34,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized in a buy-bust operation in Bacolod City early Wednesday, Aug. 19.The Bacolod City Police Office said the operation was conducted at around 12:35 a.m. at Abada Escay in Brgy. Vista Alegre.Personnel of Police Station 5, together with the City Drug Enforcement Unit and City Intelligence Unit, conducted the operation.Police said the three suspects were arrested during the transaction, while their identities were withheld pending appropriate legal proceedings.Authorities recovered about five grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of P34,000.Other items related to the operation were also seized, although police did not immediately provide further details.The suspect...

Aug212026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

1,650 policemen deployed across NIR for Ninoy Aquino Day

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region deployed 1,650 personnel across Negros Island for the observance of Ninoy Aquino Day on Friday, Aug. 21.PRO-NIR said personnel are positioned in strategic areas, including transportation hubs, major thoroughfares, public places and locations where increased movement or gatherings were expected.The security deployment includes mobile, motorcycle and foot patrols, traffic assistance, checkpoints, border control operations and Reactionary Standby Support Forces.Police units were also directed to maintain heightened visibility, monitor public areas and respond to security concerns during the observance.PRO-NIR said it coordinated with local government units, other law enforcement agencies, force multipliers and stakeholders for se...

Aug202026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Javi no decision on 2028 yet but ready for coalition talks

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Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said on Thursday, August 20, that no decision has been made on a common coalition candidate for Negros Occidental governor in 2028 but he is ready for talks.Benitez stressed that for now he is focused on his work in Congress and serving the Third District.Asked if he is considering a gubernatorial run, he replied that “no decision has been made, he will consult with the group”.He added that he is ready anytime to sit down with Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who has been calling for a common candidate for the Love Negros and United Negros Alliance (UNegA) coalition, along with the province’s congressional representatives.Benitez, who belongs to Love Negros, and Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Nerg. Occ., 2nd District) o...

Aug202026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

City gets EMB-NIR notice of violation, assures compliance measures for sanitary landfill operation

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City Administrator Mark Steven Mayo (left) during a public hearing Thursday,*BCCO photoDespite the issuance of notices of violation, the Bacolod City government continues to implement measures to ensure compliance with environmental laws and requirements for the operation of the city’s sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa.This was emphasized by City Administrator Mark Steven Mayo during a public hearing Thursday, August 20 facilitated by the Environmental Management Bureau–Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR) for the expansion project involving Cell No. 4 of the sanitary landfill.The hearing was attended by representatives of civic groups, environmental organizations, barangay officials, and key city departments, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.Th...

Aug202026 by Stephanie SevillanoNo Comments

DepEd advances security boost, campus safety in Negros Island

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

Education Secretary Sonny Angara (3rd from left, seated) meets with school administrators, teachers, and learner representatives to discuss safety protocols and other program implementation at the Bais City National High School in Negros Oriental on Thursday.*DepEd OSEC photoThe Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, August 20, further advanced nationwide security boost and campus safety, reaching public schools even in the Negros Island Region (NIR).Education Secretary Sonny Angara visited public schools in the NIR to assess campus safety protocols and evaluate the implementation of DepEd programs following Tuesday morning’s tragic shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Angara visited Bais City National High School, the largest secondary scho...

Aug202026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Bacolod cops nab former criminology student, seize P353K in shabu

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The police arrested a 19-year-old former criminology student classified as a High-Value Individual (HVI) and seized approximately 52 grams of suspected shabu valued at PhP 353,600 during a buy-bust operation at Purok San Sebastian, Barangay Sum-ag, Bacolod City, Wednesday, on August 19.The police identified the suspect as alias "Tata," single and a resident of Purok Bolinao, Barangay 1, Bacolod City.The operation was launched after Police Station 9 of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) received reports from a confidential informant regarding the suspect's illegal drug activities.Subsequent casing and surveillance confirmed the reports, revealing that the suspect allegedly carried 25 to 50 grams of illegal drugs per transaction and utilized GCash for payment transfers. ...

Aug202026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

84-year-old ‘albularyo’ stabbed dead inside his home in E.B. Magalona

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The scene of the crime/*PNP photoAn 84-year-old traditional healer or “albularyo” was stabbed to death by two unidentified assailants who entered his home in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, early Wednesday, Aug. 19.The victim was attacked at around 4:40 a.m. inside his residence in Don Hermino Village, Brgy. 1, while he and his 61-year-old wife were sleeping, police said.Investigators said the two suspects, who reportedly had their faces covered, stabbed the victim several times in different parts of his body, including the head, before fleeing.Witnesses later reported seeing two men leaving the area aboard a tricycle, PMSgt. Henry Mangana III, investigator on case of the E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station, said.The victim was rushed to a hospital in Silay ...

Aug202026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Mambukal to unveil Lake View Villas, nature trail, spotted deer enclosure

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The Lake View Villas at the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary.*Rayfrando Diaz photoThe inauguration of three Lake View Villas and a nature trail at the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia, Negros Occidental, will be held in early September, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Thursday, August 20.Each two-bedroom villa can accommodate up to five guests.The area also features private hot and cold dipping pools, as well as a designated bonfire site, Diaz added.Also set for official opening is the access trail leading to the resort's first waterfall.Endangered Visayan spotted deer will also be transferred to an enclosure within the resort on August 29 to allow visitors, especially children, to observe the wildlife up close, Diaz sai...

Aug202026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Alonso NegOcc acting governor Aug. 23 to Sept. 1

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Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose V. Lacson has designated Vice Gov. Jose Benito A. Alonso as acting governor while he goes on official leave from August 23 to September 1.He also designated Board Member Genaro G. Alvarez IV as acting vice governor for the duration of his leave.Lacson, in Executive Order No. 26-16, Series of 2026 signed Thursday, August 20, said the designations were made "to ensure the continuous and effective delivery of basic and social services" across the province during his absence.The order did not state why the governor was going on leave.*

Aug202026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

2 motorcycle riders killed in separate NegOcc road incidents

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Two motorcycle riders died in separate road incidents in Kabankalan and Silay cities in Negros Occidental from Wednesday to Thursday, Aug. 19 to 20.In Kabankalan City, a 44-year-old laborer died after his motorcycle went into a portion of the road undergoing repairs in Punta Coloso, Brgy. 6, at around 2 a.m. Thursday, August 20.Police identified the victim only as alias “Toto,” a resident of Brgy. Mambugsay, Cauayan.Investigation showed that Toto was driving a red Rusi 110 motorcycle from Kabankalan City proper toward Cauayan when he fell into the road section under repair.He sustained severe head injuries and was brought by rescuers to the Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital, where he was declared dead.Police said the victim had no driver’s license.Meanwhile, a 23-y...