TOP STORIES

By CESAR JOLITO III Autopsy findings on the 19 individuals killed in a military operation in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town, including two Filipino-Americans, have raised questions over the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) claim that the incident was a legitimate armed encounter. The examinations, conducted from April 25 to 29 by forensic pathologist Raquel …

By CESAR JOLITO III The United Sugar Producers Federation (Unifed) has strongly criticized the Sugar Council, accusing the group of sowing division within the sugar industry and pursuing what it described as politically motivated attacks against the current administration and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) leadership. Unifed Chairman Manuel Lamata labeled the Sugar Council as …

  By CESAR JOLITO III The Negros Occidental provincial government has formally launched its expanded community solar program following the success of its solarization initiative that reduced electricity costs in major provincial government buildings by around 50 percent. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the savings came from the solarization project proposed by former governor and …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) officially welcomed Police Brigadier General Romano Cardiño as its new acting regional director following a ceremonial turnover of command held at Camp Crame in Quezon City yesterday, as part of a broader leadership reshuffle within the Philippine National Police (PNP). Cardiño …

By CESAR JOLITO III Major infrastructure projects in Negros Occidental’s 3rd District are expected to drive economic growth and create more employment opportunities as plans move forward for a P1-billion convention center and the expansion of the Bacolod-Silay International Airport. Third District Representative Javier Miguel Benitez announced the developments during the district-wide graduation ceremony of …

By CESAR JOLITO III A 79-year-old woman died after reportedly letting her husband escape a residential fire that razed several homes at Purok Maanyag 2 in Bacolod City’s Barangay Alijis on Tuesday night, May 6. Rosa Magbanua allowed her husband, 62-year-old Jose Magbanua, to get out while their house was burning, the Bureau of Fire …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has launched heightened security preparations for the upcoming National Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) 2026, with hundreds of police personnel set to secure venues and delegates during the weeklong national sporting event in Bacolod City. PRISAA 2026 is scheduled from May …

By CESAR JOLITO III Two separate shooting incidents in Negros Occidental on Wednesday, May 6, left one man dead and another injured, prompting police investigations and pursuit operations. In Don Salvador Benedicto, a 39-year-old farmer was killed after allegedly being shot by his 21-year-old stepson inside their home in Barangay Bunga’s Purok Kapehan at 10:30 …

By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City government has acquired an additional mini amphibious excavator to intensify clearing and rehabilitation operations along the Mandalagan River as part of its continuing flood mitigation program. Mayor Greg Gasataya said the city remains committed to investing in equipment aimed at improving waterways and reducing flooding risks in vulnerable …

By CESAR JOLITO III A father and his 15-year-old son were injured after they were struck by a pickup truck while fixing a tricycle tire along the roadside at Barangay Marina in Negros Occidental’s Binalbagan town early morning yesterday, May 7. Binalbagan police said the incident happened at 2:45 a.m. involving a silver pickup with …