HEADLINE

By CESAR JOLITO III The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed both criminal and administrative complaints filed against former mayor and now Bacolod Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and 18 others in connection with the city government’s purchase of portions of Hacienda Conchita in Barangay Granada. In a joint resolution dated April 14, the …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has launched an independent investigation into the recent armed encounter in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town that left 19 people dead, as conflicting narratives continue to emerge from the military and various groups. In a statement, the CHR said its office in the Negros Island Region …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) asserted that the armed encounter in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town that killed suspected remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) was lawful, intelligence-driven and conducted in accordance with established rules of engagement. In a statement, the AFP said claims that troops from the 79th …

By CESAR JOLITO III Conflicting narratives have emerged following a deadly encounter at Barangay Salamanca in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town, with the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Philippine Army presenting sharply opposing accounts regarding the identities of those killed and the circumstances of the incident. Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala stated that troops of …

By CESAR JOLITO The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has confirmed it cannot file tax violation charges against suspects arrested in recent raids on warehouses where alleged smuggled cigarettes were discovered in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental’s Bago City due to the agency’s absence during the police operations. In an interview, Atty. Roev Bryl Sobrejuanite, …

By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has renewed his call for remaining insurgents to surrender following a deadly clash between government troops and suspected communist rebels in Toboso town over the weekend. Lacson expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the encounter at Barangay Salamanca’s Sitio Plarending on Sunday, …

By CESAR JOLITO III A suspected hitman of the New People’s Army (NPA) identified as Roger Fabillar, also known as “Jhong” and “Arnel Tapang,” was among 19 alleged rebels killed in a series of armed encounters with government troops at Barangay Salamanca in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town early Sunday morning, April 19. Brigadier General Ted …

By CESAR JOLITO III Government troops clashed with suspected remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in a series of encounters at remote villages in Negros Occidental’s Cauayan and Toboso towns over the weekend. Personnel of the 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) encountered at least three individuals believed to be affiliated with the South West Front …

By CESAR JOLITO III Citing an estimated P12.8 billion in foregone revenues, a Senate inquiry has been proposed to investigate the alleged over-importation of sugar and its impact on the country’s local sugar industry, following the filing of Senate Resolution No. 369. The resolution directs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform to …

By CESAR JOLITO Tensions erupted during a regular session of Sangguniang Panlungsod in Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City after members of the minority bloc staged a walkout, citing alleged disrespect and procedural lapses involving the presiding officer, Vice Mayor David Baga. In a joint statement, La Carlota Councilors Jegie Aguirre, Akoy Sia, January Alvañez-Abad, and …