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Aug92026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Reticulated python rescued from Dumaguete commercial establishment

A reticulated python was safely captured after it was found inside a commercial establishment in Dumaguete City on Wednesday night, Aug. 5.The Bureau of Fire Protection-Dumaguete City Fire Station said its Shift 2 personnel responded to the establishment in Brgy. Calindagan after receiving a report about the snake.Firefighters secured the area and captured the python using proper wildlife handling procedures.No injuries, casualties or property damage were reported during the operation.The snake was later turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for proper care and eventual safe release.The BFP reminded the public not to attempt to capture or disturb snakes and other wild animals and to instead keep a safe distance and seek assistance from autho...

Aug92026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

GAD execom reprograms ₱6.9M for priority water, OFW, educational programs

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The Negros Occidental Provincial Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System Executive Committee approved the reprogramming of ₱6.9 million in funds to strengthen clean water access, scholarship offerings, and support services for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) across the province.Chaired by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, the committee reallocated ₱5 million from the Provincial Health Office’s Advocacy on Zero Open Defecation Program to the Provincial Integrated Safe Water Program, managed under the Provincial Administrator’s Office.An additional ₱1.9 million in savings from the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program (NOSP) Division was realigned to bolster targeted social and educational initiatives. The original savings were drawn from the District Education Scholarship...

Aug92026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Kabankalan cops seize P251,600 in suspected, nab Himamaylan resident

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A 25-year-old man was arrested after police seized about P251,600 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Akina Subdivision, Brgy. Binicuil, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Friday, Aug. 7.The Kabankalan City Police Station identified the suspect only as “Jeffrey,” an unemployed resident of Himamaylan City.The suspect allegedly handed a sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover police officer in exchange for buy-bust money.Authorities recovered 28 sachets containing about 37 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of P251,600.Also seized were an improvised glass tooter, a plastic straw scoop with traces of suspected shabu, P500 in buy-bust money, P650 in cash and other non-drug evidence.The seized suspected illeg...

Aug92026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

No. 10 regional most wanted arrested for qualified rape in Negros Oriental

Negros Oriental, Top Stories

The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region arrested the No. 10 most wanted person at the regional level during a manhunt operation in Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental, on Friday, Aug. 7.Police identified the accused only by the alias “Rob,” 41, a farmer and resident of Brgy. Ulay.Personnel of the Vallehermoso Municipal Police Station served a warrant of arrest against him for qualified rape of a minor, with no bail recommended.Police said the accused is the victim’s father and allegedly sexually abused her after she was allowed by her guardian to sleep at his house.Authorities said the alleged incident happened after the accused came home intoxicated from a birthday celebration.The accused was informed of his constitutional rights in a language he understood and is cu...

Aug92026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

PDEA dismantles Bacolod drug den, nabs 4

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Four suspected drug personalities were arrested after the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency dismantled an alleged drug den in Bacolod City on Wednesday, Aug. 5.The buy-bust operation led to the arrest of aliases “Rizalde,” 60, “Erron,” 27, “Harry,” 31, and “Kevin,” 36, all residents of Bacolod City, at around 11:50 a.m. in Purok Star Apple 1, Brgy. 27, PDEA-Negros Island Region reported Sunday, August 8.The operation was led by PDEA-NIR’s Negros Occidental Provincial Office with assistance from its Regional Special Enforcement Team, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, and the Special Operations Unit-Negros Island Region.Authorities recovered 10 sachets containing about 16 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of P108,800.Also seized were two improvised...

Aug72026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Cadiz cop drowns while trying to rescue companions swept by strong river current

Police, Top Stories

A police officer died after he was swept away by a strong current while attempting to rescue two companions during a seaborne patrol in Brgy. Luna, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, on Friday, Aug. 7.Police identified the victim as Police MSgt. Fernando Marfa Jr., 40, a member of the Cadiz Police Station.Lt. Daleen Grace Loreno, deputy chief of the Cadiz police, said Marfa was conducting a seaborne patrol with Bantay Dagat personnel and civilians at around 10:30 a.m. in Sitio Bisang, Brgy. Luna, when water entered their motorized banca.Two of his companions were reportedly swept away while crossing the river and began struggling in the water.Marfa immediately went into the river to help rescue them but was himself overpowered by the strong current and submerged, police said....

Aug72026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Chinese national, woman arrested after P470k in counterfeit seasoning products seized

Business, Top Stories

The seized counterfeit seasoning products.*PNP photoA 64-year-old Chinese national and a 32-year-old woman were arrested after authorities seized P470,400 worth of allegedly counterfeit seasoning products during an entrapment operation in Bacolod City.The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bacolod City Field Unit conducted the operation along the Economic Highway in Brgy. Mansilingan from about 3:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5.The operation was conducted with the CIDG Regional Special Operations Team-Negros Island Region, Police Station 7 and representatives of Nestlé Philippines Inc.CIDG said the operation stemmed from a complaint by the company regarding the alleged widespread distribution and sale of counterfeit Maggi Magic Sarap products in Bacolod City....

Aug72026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

NegOcc hog raisers seek floor prices as ASF slips market rates

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The Alliance of Hog Raisers Association of Negros Occidental (AHRANO) is urging the provincial government to set a minimum live weight price of ₱160 to ₱170 per kilogram for pigs, aiming to cushion local farmers from plunging prices triggered by African Swine Fever (ASF).Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Thursday that the provincial government is studying whether it is legally feasible to impose a floor price to protect local swine producers.AHRANO President Ric Lauron on Friday, August 7, welcomed the province's initiative, noting that the ASF outbreak pushed live weight farmgate prices down to ₱110–₱120 per kilo, with some areas faring slightly better at ₱125–₱130 per kilo.Lauron said hog farmers need a live weight price of ₱140 to ₱150 per kilo just to b...

Aug72026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Talisay sets minimum pork prices to support swine industry amid ASF

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Mayor Rowena Lizares.* Talisay PIO photoMayor Rowena Lizares has issued an executive order establishing minimum pricing guidelines for pork sold within Talisay City in Negros Occidental to safeguard the local swine industry amid the continuing impact of African Swine Fever (ASF).Mayor Lizares signed Executive Order No. 39, Series of 2026, which took effect on July 24, according to an announcement posted on the Talisay City Facebook page on Friday, August 7.“This Executive Order is more than a price regulation—it is a commitment to fair trade, stable markets, and food security,” the city government stated.By setting reasonable minimum prices, the local government aims to protect hog raisers from unfair undercutting, help meat vendors sustain their livelihoods, and ensure con...

Aug72026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Abused OFW provided health, trauma care at Riyadh Embassy following escape

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A 45-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who escaped from an alleged abusive employer in Saudi Arabia is receiving psychosocial intervention and medical care to restore her health, officials said Friday, August 7.The Cebu native, who is married to a resident of Barangay 8, Isabela, Negros Occidental, has three sons aged 11, 13, and 14.Negros Occidental Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Karen Dinsay said the OFW suffered severe weight loss and trauma. She is currently in the care of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) personnel at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.Meanwhile, Isabela Mayor Miguel Angelo Yulo confirmed that the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is processing her exit visa, a process expected to take three to four weeks before sh...