News

Elections in Negros Island’s insurgency-affected areas will proceed as scheduled on May 12 despite recent clashes between government forces and rebels, an official said Monday, May 5. Comelec-Negros Island Region Director Lionel Marco Castillano said the Philippine Army and police have intensified operations to prevent New People’s Army (NPA) disruptions. “The encounters in Kabankalan and …

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reinforced security in Siquijor province ahead of the May 12 polls due to escalating political tensions. Comelec-Negros Island Region Director Lionel Marco Castillano said while private armed groups are uncommon in Siquijor, the agency deployed additional soldiers as a precaution. “This is to assure the people of Siquijor that …

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers may be called in to serve as Special Electoral Board (SEB) members during the May 12 elections if no other security forces are available, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said. In Resolution No. 11135, the Comelec en banc authorized AFP members to act as SEB members as a …

Officials in the highly-urbanized Bacolod City welcomed yesterday the directive of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to require regular and mandatory drug tests for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and other related actions that are part of the stricter nationwide road safety plan. “[We are supporting it] if that’s the directive from the Department of Transportation …

A former New People’s Army (NPA) rebel now fighting for peace alongside soldiers of the Philippine Army in northern Negros has been awarded as this year’s Outstanding Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) Active Auxiliary (CAA) by the 3rd Infantry Division (ID). Eduardo Linogon Jr., 33 years old, was cited for his “acts of heroism, …

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers may be called in to serve as Special Electoral Board (SEB) members during the May 12 elections if no other security forces are available, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said. In Resolution No. 11135, the Comelec en banc authorized AFP members to act as SEB members as a …

By JEN BAYLON Two unidentified male bodies were discovered buried in separate sites at Barangay Cubay in Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City yesterday morning. At around 8:30 a.m., a roving patrolman named Reynaldo Pilar spotted tracks leading to the middle of the sugarcane plantation in Hacienda San Roque. Investigating further, Pilar found a digging site …

Marketing assistance from the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) has boosted the community-based tourism association in the Lapus Lapus-Macapagao Local Conservation Area (LCA) of Sagay City, Negros Occidental. In a statement, city tourism officer Helen Javier Arguelles said the TPB’s Marketing Enhancement Program has helped increase awareness about the destination located within the 364-hectare protected area …

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) encouraged election stakeholders to monitor the ongoing final testing and sealing (FTS) of the automated counting machines (ACMs) that will be used in the May 12 elections. Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said it is important for the public, election watchdogs and political parties to observe the FTS that will be …

A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an armed clash with government troops in Barangay Humay-humay, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Thursday, May 1, prompting dozens of families to flee their homes. Lt. Colonel Evelio Ilanga, commander of the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion, said the encounter occurred around 12:10 p.m. …