“I have always been against the gangster as hero.” –Ruby Dee It seems nobody is interested in identifying the killers responsible for the death of alleged Western Visayas drug lord Melvin ‘Boyet’ Odicta, Sr., who also went by the alias ‘Dragon.’ Neither lawyers nor family have requested a follow-up investigation. The family of the slain …
Monthly Archives: September 2019
Who is to blame for illegal vendors?
A group of friends met over beers to discuss President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to remove all obstructive illegal structures. “In other countries, there are neither illegal vendors nor shanties rising; why is this very rampant in our country?” a doctor asked. “What is the politicians’ role in tolerating such illegal actions?” They proceeded to answer …
Yanson matriarch refutes son’s claims on reconciliation
Olivia Yanson: He visited to invite me to a wedding By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Olivia Yanson, matriarch of the Yanson clan that operates Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI), parent company of the Ceres bus liner, refuted claims made by her son, Roy Yanson, regarding reconciliation. Last month, Yanson said he had visited his mother at …
Iloilo City to look into possible Badjao syndicate
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has recently called upon the Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the possibility of a syndicate organizing Badjaos, commonly referred to as ‘sea gypsies’ and often seen begging at local transport terminals. According to Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head …
Five NPA insurgents killed in Escalante City encounter
At least five New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents were killed following a gun battle Saturday morning with elements of the Philippine Army 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) in Escalante City’s Sitio Morino, located in the city’s Barangay Paitan. According to the Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade, the 79IB was responding to the area after receiving an …
Notorious drug personality killed in Bacolod City
Ricky Serenio, who formerly served as a bagman for the Berya drug group, was killed over the weekend by riding-in-tandem suspects in Bacolod City’s Barangay Pahanocoy. The notorious drug personality was reportedly heading home to Pulupandan after visiting family in Barangay Singcang-Airport for lunch. According to authorities, after stopping by the Manville Royale Subdivision to …
Armed men abduct family in Himamaylan City
A Himamaylan City family was abducted last Friday when armed men barged into their home at Bangga Miñez in the city’s Barangay 4. Police were eventually able to rescue the victims, who were recovered unharmed. The victims were identified as Edilia Pacheco, her daughter Aiza, Sherwin dela Rosa, and 16- year old boy. Daycare worker …
Charges against Leonardia over gasoline payment irregularities dismissed
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Office of the Ombudsman recently dismissed administrative charges against Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia surrounding the alleged P858,872 in gasoline payment irregularities. The decision was made based on the Condonation Legal Doctrine, or the Aguinaldo Doctrine, wherein reelection to office is considered an acceptance of an official’s actions. In …
Vallacar forum shopping case to be heard next month
The court is scheduled to review a case next month, October 1, to dismiss a petition for injunction filed by Atty. Norman Golez, on behalf of Vallacar Transit Inc. President Leo Rey Yanson and his sister, Ginnette Yanson-Dumancas, with regard to the special stockholders meeting held last month. According to the attorney, the injunction cases …
P15M worth of shabu seized from Islamic Center in Bacolod City
About P15 million worth of suspected shabu was recovered last Saturday in a buy-bust operation at the Islamic Center in Bacolod City’s Barangay 31. According to City Drug Enforcement Unit chief, Lt. Colonel Leonardo Borromeo, the subject of the operation was a certain alias ‘Tata,’ who managed to evade arrest after discovering he was dealing …