By Tara Yap The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently assured their continued work with the Philippines, despite accusations surrounding human rights violations connected with the ongoing war on illegal drugs. “We work with the Philippine government and the communities and universities based on their needs,” said USAID acting assistant administrator for Asia, …
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PRO-18 receives orders to resume anti-illegal drug operations
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Police Regional Office-18 (PRO-18) recently received orders from their higher-ups in Camp Crame to resume anti-illegal drug operations in the Negros Island Region (NIR). In a document sent by PRO-18 last night, they must follow several requirements when conducting their anti-illegal drug drive, dubbed “Oplan: Double Barrel Alpha Reloaded.” …
Three arrested in separate PDEA, BCPO drug raids in Bacolod City
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Three people were arrested in separate drug raids carried out by members of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Barangays Banago and 27, yesterday morning. Police identified the suspects as 31-year-old Joel Oro, a resident of Purok Bayanihan, Barangay Banago; …
No criminal, administrative aspect to land purchase –Provincial Legal Officer Governor offers no response, awaiting copy of complaint
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Provincial Legal Officer (PLO) Jose Ma. Valencia, yesterday, said he does not see any criminal or administrative aspect to the case the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas filed against Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and 10 others. In an interview at the Provincial Capitol, Valencia said they …
DSWD Undersecretary opens ASEAN cultural meeting in Iloilo City
By Tara Yap Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Flor Villar opened the 22nd senior officials committee meeting for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), yesterday, at the Iloilo Convention Center. She addressed the group by highlighting its priorities. “I would like to underscore two priorities which concern the ASCC pillars, a people-oriented and …
Three dead after motorcycle collides with tanker truck in Bago City
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Three people are confirmed dead after their motorcycle collided with a tanker truck carrying molasses at Purok Trese y Media, Barangay Taloc, Bago City, early Monday morning. Police identified the fatalities as Lonie Benguelo, Eljohn Iña, and Gerald Iña, all of whom are residents of Purok Putat, Barangay Balingasag, in …
Diocese welcomes revised ‘Oplan: Tokhang’
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga The Diocese of Bacolod welcomed a proposal from Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa, requiring the presence of a priest or a representative from any religious order in order for police to conduct drug operations with the newly-revised “Oplan: Tokhang.” In a message sent by …
Governor, Vice Governor respond to claims NIR creation was ‘unconstitutional’
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga In response to reports Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno called Executive Order 183, which created the Negros Island Region (NIR), “unconstitutional,” both Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the region has a “legal basis” for its existence. In a …
City Administrator: First of two ASEAN meetings in Bacolod City canceled
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga According to Bacolod City Administrator, Atty. John Orola, organizers for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) canceled the meeting scheduled between March 14 and 16 in Bacolod City, but the second meeting, planned from March 21 to 25, is still confirmed. Based on previous reporting, the first session was …
Lawyer questions ‘fairness’ in Escalante City extrajudicial killings case
By Paulo Loreto Lim Following the decision by San Carlos City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Danilo Amisola to dismiss three counts of murder and one count of frustrated murder against Negros Occidental Rep. Melecio Yap, the attorney for the families of the alleged extrajudicial killings victims, Atty. Renecio Espiritu, Jr., called into question the …