By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga An alleged leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in northern Negros surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) at Barangay Bato in Negros Occidental’s Sagay City on Sunday, March 17. Authorities identified the now-former rebel as “Ka Dose,” a vice squad leader and intelligence officer of the dismantled NPA’s Northern …
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P46-M ‘shabu’ seized in W. Visayas in one month
The massive anti-drugs campaign in Western Visayas has yielded suspected shabu with an estimated street value of about P46.12 million and marijuana worth P10,320 in a month. Data from the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) showed that from February 15 to March 15, the 201 police operations conducted by various police units in …
Man dies in mishap
By Jen Baylon A man died after his motorcycle crashed with a tricycle along the national highway at Barangay Poblacion 1 in Negros Occidental’s Sagay City yesterday morning. The victim was identified as 36-year-old Eric Sorneno, a resident of Escalante City, while the tricycle driver was 37-year-old Bryan Amparo. An initial police investigation showed …
BFP continues probe on Mt. Kanlaon fire
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) continues to investigate the cause of the fire that hit a portion of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park in La Castellana, Negros Occidental late last week. Senior Supt. Arnold Alba, provincial fire marshal, said yesterday there are many possibilities on how the fire started, including the intense heat which …
Negros Occidental city unveils P55-M disaster response center
Victorias City located in northern Negros Occidental unveiled its new P55-million evacuation center and multiple-purpose building implemented through the assistance of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The two-storey structure, located in Barangay 13, was blessed and inaugurated as the Victorias City Command and Evacuation Center (VCCEC) in rites led by DILG …
Over P16.28-M aid released to disaster-hit families in W. Visayas
Agencies under the response committee of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDDRRM) have released P16.28 million in relief assistance to victims of various disasters that happened in Western Visayas this first quarter of 2024. In a report during the RDRRMC first quarter full council meeting held virtually on Friday, March 15, the …
Visayas on road to recovery from ASF
As Western Visayas gears for recovery from the effects of African swine fever (ASF), six local government units (LGUs) in the region have approved applications for zone progression in preparation for sentinelling. “Zone progression is the first step to change their status from red into pink zone. They have complied with the documents, and we …
Dumaguete fire station needs more fire hydrants for faster response time
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Dumaguete City is seeking additional fire hydrants to improve their response time during fire callouts. Fire chief Inspector Marlon Chomling, city fire marshal, said in an interview on Thursday, March 14, that the 54 fire hydrants spread across the city are not enough to cover fire incidents should …
Biz chamber urges full implementation of free Wi-Fi, AI to fight crime
The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) is urging the city government to implement an ordinance on free Wi-Fi and adopt the use of digital technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), to combat crimes. NOCCI president Edward Du noted that, while the measure was approved and signed in 2021, it has yet …
Negros Oriental’s fire incidents alarming, says BFP official
The Bureau of Fire Protection chief in Negros Oriental has sounded the alarm over the continued rise in the number of fire incidents in the province during the first quarter of the year. The province has recorded 64 fire incidents, structural and non-structural, since January 1, according to Supt. Noel Nelson Ababon, provincial fire marshal, …