Task Force Buglas to conduct counterterrorism meeting today

Posted by watchmen
August 8, 2017
Posted in TOP STORIES

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Members of Task Force Buglas will conduct a counterterrorism meeting today at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol. The provincial government previously announced P21 million had been set aside to fund the group, which was formed to prevent any spillover of violence from Mindanao and prevent terror activities in the province. …

Read More

Three victimized by weekend robberies in Bacolod City

Posted by watchmen
August 8, 2017
Posted in TOP STORIES

By Ma. Irish Joy M. Sabio, Intern A total three individuals were victimized in two separate robbery incidents in Barangays Villamonte and Sum-ag, Bacolod City over the weekend. According to police, the first robbery took place in Purok Bayanihan, Barangay Villamonte, where 53-year-old Lucia Pingki-an, a resident of the said purok, was victimized by two …

Read More

Senior shot dead in Calatrava

Posted by watchmen
August 8, 2017
Posted in TOP STORIES

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga A senior citizen was killed by unidentified gunmen near his home in the mountainous portion of Barangay Minautok, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, late Sunday evening. Police identified the fatality as 71-year-old Efraem Gubat, a land surveyor and resident of the said barangay. Calatrava municipal police reported Gubat was preparing to go …

Read More

3ID Commander: NPA are ‘show-offs’

Posted by watchmen
August 7, 2017
Posted in TOP STORIES

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) commander, Major General Jon Aying, slammed the New People’s Army (NPA), describing them as “show offs” after numerous sightings of the rebels were reported in Negros Occidental. According to Aying, the NPA are engaging in “psychological warfare” in order to send out a message …

Read More

HIV on the rise in Negros Occidental –Health Official PHO only monitored females, despite most cases attributed to males

Posted by watchmen
August 7, 2017
Posted in TOP STORIES

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Provincial Health Office (PHO) said it is closely monitoring cases of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Negros Occidental, following the Department of Health (DOH) recording a rise in the number of HIV-related cases. PHO head, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, said they have only concentrated on monitoring female commercial workers …

Read More

Governor remains positive on NIR retention, despite budget uncertainty

Posted by watchmen
August 7, 2017
Posted in TOP STORIES

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. expressed optimism over the retention of the Negros Island Region (NIR), despite uncertainty over its inclusion in the proposed 2018 national budget. In a recent interview, Marañon said he is not closing the door as there are many politicians who are supportive of NIR’s …

Read More

Local Comelec: Ready for barangay elections

Posted by watchmen
August 7, 2017
Posted in TOP STORIES

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga While Congress decides on the fate of the Barangay polls, slated for October 23, the provincial office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced they are ready if the elections push through. Comelec-Negros Occidental Supervisor Jessie Suarez said they are currently conducting an inventory of yellow ballot boxes. “We will …

Read More

Remains of Negrense soldier return home from Marawi City

Posted by watchmen
August 7, 2017
Posted in TOP STORIES

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The remains of Corporal Ariel Arquio, who was killed on July 28 during a gun battle with the Islamic State-backed Maute terror group in Marawi City, were returned to his hometown of Cauayan, Negros Occidental. His remains arrived at Bacolod-Silay Airport last Friday, where honors were rendered by the Philippine …

Read More

Illegal fishermen caught off Balbagon Island

Posted by watchmen
August 7, 2017
Posted in TOP STORIES

By Jezza A. Nepomoceno A total 27 crew members of the vessel FB Inday Apple were apprehended off the coast of Balbagon Island, part of Carles, Iloilo, Friday morning. The fishermen were apprehended for unauthorized fishing and for using a Danish seine, a type of fishing net used for commercial fishing, often referred to as …

Read More

City government task force to clear local waterways

Posted by watchmen
August 7, 2017
Posted in TOP STORIES

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Bacolod City government organized Task Force Panghawan to clear waterways around the city classified as “danger zones” and unfit for human habitation. According to City Administrator John Orola, the group will be headed by Executive Assistant Celestino Guara. He explained the task force is part of the city’s flood …

Read More