By CESAR JOLITO III The National Democratic Front (NDF) in Negros has rejected renewed proposals for localized peace talks, saying that negotiations should instead be conducted at the national level to address what it described as long-standing systemic issues behind the armed conflict. In a statement released on May 26, NDF-Negros spokesperson Ka Bayani Obrero …
Monthly Archives: May 2026
Environmental advocates reject permits for bulk water project
By CESAR JOLITO III Environmental groups and disaster risk reduction specialists are urging local government units in northern Negros Occidental to reject approvals for the proposed P1.2-billion Negros Occidental bulk water supply project, citing what they described as “fatal flaws” in its environmental and governance processes. In a position paper dated May 24, the group …
The ad hominem habit
By Herman M. Lagon There was a moment during the recent Senate tensions when the debate suddenly stopped being about rules, quorum, online voting, or constitutional procedure. It became about credentials. Senator Rodante Marcoleta, in the middle of a heated exchange with Senator Risa Hontiveros, remarked that discussions become difficult “kung wala tayong legal background …
Pursuing the Trinitarian life
By Fr. Roy Cimagala With the celebration of the Solemnity of the Blessed Trinity, we are reminded of the most important mystery of our faith, the fount of all the other truths and mysteries of our faith, since it shows us the inmost and intimate life of God in himself, even before being the Creator …
Social media bad for children as smoking, doctors say
Social media ranks alongside smoking as a danger to children, senior British doctors said, as they urged lawmakers to tackle the harm that they say excessive screen time is causing to young people. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges detailed the impact of social media on children in a submission to the government’s consultation on …
NegOcc could be spared from El Niño: Pagasa
By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental is projected to be largely spared from the severe dry conditions typically associated with the El Niño phenomenon, based on the latest climate outlook from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). Irene Bel Ploteña, chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said recent …
NTF-ELCAC refutes ‘biggest NPA recruiter’ tag
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) dismissed claims of human rights group Karapatan, calling it the “biggest NPA (New People’s Army) recruiter” in the country. In a statement, NTF-ELCAC executive director, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., said this “latest propaganda piece” is an attempt by the militant group to distort reality …
Brigada Eskwela set for June 1
By CESAR JOLITO III The Department of Education’s Negros Occidental Schools Division will simultaneously launch the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela programs on Monday, June 1 as part of preparations for the opening of classes on June 8. Schools Division Superintendent Gladys Amylaine Sales said the weeklong activity aims to ensure schools are ready …
Suspect in election day shooting held
By CESAR JOLITO III The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) arrested the region’s No. 1 Most Wanted Person allegedly involved in an election-related shooting incident during a manhunt operation at Barangay Rizal in Negros Occidental’s Silay City on Thursday, May 28. The suspect, identified by police as 43-year-old alias “Clar,” is …
Elderly pedestrian hurt in pickup truck crash
By CESAR JOLITO III A 71-year-old man was seriously injured after being struck by a pickup truck along the national highway at Barangay Damsite in Negros Occidental’s Murcia town on Thursday evening, May 28. Police identified the victim only as alias “Edgar,” a married laborer and resident of Barangay Cansilayan’s Hacienda Ditsing in the town. …