HEADLINE

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) said insurgents of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros who have heinous criminal records will not receive amnesty. Lt. Colonel J-jay Javines, 3ID spokesperson, said amnesty will not be given to rebels who are facing heinous crimes, such as murder, rape and …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IBde) said there will be no ceasefire with the insurgents of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental this holiday season. Brigadier General Orlando Edralin, 303IBde commander, said they will continue their anti-insurgency operations throughout the period to assure residents that the province will remain peaceful during …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga More than 500 passengers were stranded in Bacolod City’s Bredco and Banago ports yesterday after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) issued sea travel suspensions due to Tropical Depression “Kabayan.” Based on information from PCG Bredco Substation commander, Chief Petty Officer Louie Campaner, 48 passengers were stranded at the Bredco Port. At least 525 …

The Court of Appeals (CA) based in Cebu City reversed the Bacolod City Regional Trial Court’s (RTC) ruling and ordered the lifting of the suspension of warrant of arrest against Emily Yanson, former corporate secretary of Ceres Transport Inc. (CTI) for perjury and falsification of public documents. In a 34-page decision dated October 27, the CA …

By Mae Singuay The House Committee on Legislative Franchises unanimously approved the franchise for the Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) on Wednesday, December 13. Abang Lingkod party-list representative Stephen Paduano, one of the proponents of House Bill (HB) 9310, confirmed the franchise approval to the members of the media in Bacolod City yesterday. HB 9310, which outlines the transfer …

  By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga More than 1,800 police officers are set to be deployed in Negros Occidental as “Misa de Gallo,” or the nine-day pre-dawn novena Mass observed until Christmas Eve, begins today. Police Major Rhojn Darrel Nigos, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) spokesperson, said personnel from law enforcement agencies, such as …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The reestablishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR) is now becoming closer to reality after the Senate approved Senate Bill (SB) 2507 on second reading. SB 2507 or “An act establishing the Negros Island Region to be known as Region XVIII,” was approved on second reading during the Senate’s regular …

  By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Eight employees of the Negros Occidental provincial government have tested positive for drug use, provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz confirmed yesterday. Diaz said seven employees have tested positive for methamphetamine or shabu, while one tested positive for marijuana. Twenty employees have been tagged as “gray,” and they will undergo confirmatory …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Two local transport groups have announced that they will not join the transport strike in Bacolod City. The Sentrong Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators (SSTONE) and the Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Association (FEBACDA) will not join the strike, and instead they will prepare transport documents for submission next year. The transport …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Around 3,000 employees of the Negros Occidental provincial government underwent mandatory drug tests yesterday, as part of the efforts for a drug-free workplace in the Provincial Capitol. Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said the second drug test will be implemented in the next two days, and another is scheduled on Friday, …