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By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr. As part of the 32nd Escalante Massacre Commemoration, which began yesterday in Escalante City, murals were commissioned to “amplify the cry for justice.” “The images update the continuing struggles with land reform, poverty, and social injustice, especially the situation of sugarcane workers – victims of modern-day slavery,” said event coordinator …

By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr. The Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ceneco) announced they will be opening their power supplier bidding process to observers, a role fulfilled by consumer-members. In a press conference yesterday, Ceneco President Roy Cordova said the presence of observers is based on the procurement guidelines of RA 10531, or the National …

By Jezza A. Nepomoceno Two fishermen face charges after they were recently caught using improvised explosives to gather fish, a violation of RA 10654, or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998. 42-year-old Jonie G. Paghinayan and 27-year-old Reagan de la Cruz, both of Barangay Lantangan, Carles in Iloilo, were charged before the Iloilo Prosecutor’s Office …

Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Guimaras (DENR-Guimaras) Management Services Division head, Dr. Vilma Limates, was recently named one of 11 outstanding government workers for 2017 by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). The local DENR officer was cited for ending the practice of timber poaching, which was running rampant in Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, where she previously …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga After city officials recently took part in a seminar by the National Drive Against Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates (NDAPSSS), in an effort to discuss ways of dealing with professional squatters, or informal settlers who utilize fraudulent titles and documents, Bacolod City Legal Officer, Atty. Joselito Bayatan, said no professional …

By Ma. Irish Joy M. Sabio, Intern A man was wounded after being stabbed by a friend at Purok 1 Sigay, Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, Wednesday. Police identified the victim as 42-year-old Rogelio Mahinay and the suspect as 36-year-old Rosino Jeronda, both residents of said purok. Investigators from Police Station 8 (PS8) said the stabbing …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade (303 IB) is preparing security measures for massive two-day protests, starting today, across Negros Occidental, in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law by former President Ferdinand Marcos. 303IB commander, Colonel Eliezer Losañes, said reports suggest the New People’s Army …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Commission on Elections (Comelec) recently met with members of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in preparation for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, slated for October 23 of this year. Comelec-Negros Occidental Provincial Election Supervisor, Atty. Jessie Suarez, said they are pushing through …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez yesterday confirmed President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Hermenegildo Serafica as the new administrator for the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA). Serafica is member of the SRA board and a sugar planter from Ormoc City, Leyte. Sugar Alliance of the Philippines (SAP) spokesperson, Atty. Dino Yulo, …

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Bago City Police Station is preparing criminal charges against the driver of a truck involved in the recent multi-vehicle collision that occurred at Purok Paghidaet, Barangay Taloc in the said city. According to Bago City Police Station traffic investigator, Police Officer 3 (PO3) Jeffrey Montinola, 28-year-old Ricardo Rojo may …