By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga A Bacolod City-bound Weesam Express vessel reportedly broke down yesterday morning between Guimaras and Iloilo. Weesam Express officials said the vessel had just exited the Iloilo River when the crew detected unusual vibrations coming from the ship’s propeller shaft. Concerned for the safety of the ship’s 124 passengers, the …
Monthly Archives: November 2018
DENR: Boracay rehabilitation ongoing
Despite resort island Boracay reopening last month, after being closed earlier this year due to environmental issues, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu said rehabilitation is still ongoing. According to release posted on social media yesterday by the government agency, “The rehabilitation effort in Boracay will continue even after tourism-related activities …
Marañon calls on militants to produce ‘Sagay 9’ witness
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. yesterday called on militant groups to produce the minor who witnessed the shooting in Sagay City that claimed the lives of nine National Federation of Sugar Workers farmers. “Why are they hiding the witness?” he asked during Monday’s Al Cinco de Noviembre observance …
Monday quakes leave Panay schools damaged
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The three earthquakes that struck the Western Visayas last Monday damaged a number of schools across Panay. The schools reporting damage, which include the appearance of cracks, were Igcocolo Elementary School, Cabasi-Sta. Rosa Elementary School, Nanga Elementary School, Guimbal Central Elementary School, and Guimbal National High School. The Municipal …
Former NOPPO official gunned down in anti-drug operation
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga A former top official of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) was killed Monday night after allegedly fought back against members of the Philippine National Police-Counter Intelligence Task Force (PNP-CITF) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) during a buy-bust operation in Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte. Police identified …
Bacolod City traffic enforcers face charges following drunk driving accident
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The two Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) traffic enforcers involved in a drunk driving accident last week at Gatuslao Street-North Capitol Road were recommended for administrative charges by BTAO head, Police Superintendent Luisito Acebuche. Charges of grave offense were filed against Rene Obseqio and Aninias Logmao. Based on initial …
CONFED calls for ‘correction’ of SIDA budget cut
Ledesma: We have suffered enough in the past two years By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Confederation of Sugar Producers (Confed) in Negros and Panay called on lawmakers to “correct” the budget cut on the Sugar Industry Development Act, which saw funding drop from P2 billion to P500 million. Confed chairman Nicholas Ledesma …
Four arrested in CDEU drug operation in Bacolod City
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Four suspected drug personalities were arrested Monday evening following a buy-bust operation in Bacolod City’s Barangay 35. Police identified the suspects as Marichu Graciano, Ian delas Alas, Jun Graciano, and KC Graciano. Bacolod City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit operatives recovered a total of nine sachets of suspected shabu, …
P85M reallocated for market, slaughterhouse repairs
The Iloilo City Council yesterday passed a resolution allocating P85 million for the rehabilitation of city-run markets and slaughterhouses. “Our city’s public markets, [in their] present state, there’s only little improvement,” the City Councilor Armand Parcon-sponsored resolution stated. “Our [slaughterhouses] are progressively deteriorating.” The policy called the facilities “vital public utilities,” adding, “[Their] premises must …
PNP-CITF lauded for eliminating former NOPPO official
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Former Berya drug group bagman Ricky Serenio lauded the Philippine National Police-Counter Intelligence Task Force (PNP-CITF) for eliminating former Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) member, Police Superintendent Santiago Rapiz, who was killed earlier this week during a buy-bust operation in Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte. In a statement …