Sunday, September 5, 2021

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Espino 'eased out' of Grupo Progreso; leader says no one asked him to leave

Posted: 05 Sep 2021 08:21 AM PDT

"I WAS eased out of Grupo Progreso (GP)."

This was said by Councilor Al Victor Espino, a member of local coalition Grupo Progreso, Sunday, September 5, 2021, after he was allegedly informed by Mayor Evelio Leonardia that the latter had lost his trust in him during their political group's meeting in Bacolod City on Friday.

Espino, in a press conference, said he was singled out because of his closeness to former Negros Occidental Third District congressman Alfredo "Albee" Benitez, who earlier announced his intention to run as mayor of Bacolod City in the 2022 elections.

"It was accepted that the meeting was for me and to tell me that he no longer trusts me because of my closeness to Albee, which I understand because I considered him (Benitez) as my mentor, but my political relationship has always been with Leonardia," he said.

Espino said on Friday, they held a meeting with members of GP except for Congressman Greg Gasataya and former councilor Caesar Distrito, who had prior appointments.

"I was informed that I have lost the trust of our leader, Mayor Evelio Leonardia, and I appreciate that it came from him," he said.

The councilor added, "he [Leonardia] told me that if he has other opponents, then I have his trust and confidence. But, given the fact, which I do not deny that, indeed, I am close to Benitez not for anything else but as a friend and a mentor."

Espino was elected as councilor in 1998 when he ran under the ticket of Leonardia.

He then ran as vice mayor with incumbent Councilor Renecito Novero, both of them losing the elections.

When he returned to politics, he was invited by former mayor Luzviminda Valdez and ran under a separate party.

He ran again under Leonardia's ticket and became a member of GP.

Espino said he accepted the decision of the mayor and he told him that he's the one to leave.

"I did not expect it and I left GP with a very, very heavy heart," he said, adding that for now, he is considering not running in the next elections.

"I know that I am a contributing member of GP and an effective councilor during my time most importantly, I authored several ordinances for the city," he said.

Espino authored City Ordinance 936, an ordinance granting tax relief to delinquent real property taxpayers in the city through the condonation of penalties, interest and surcharges imposed and providing mechanisms for its proper implementation.

He also authored a city ordinance establishing and creating a primary health care center in Bacolod; an ordinance extending the deadline of payments of all local taxes, fees and charges imposed by the City of Bacolod for the succeeding quarters of the year 2020 without surcharges, interests or penalties, among others.

As this developed, Leonardia said in a statement no one in the GP moved to ease Espino out.

He said the meeting was attended by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Espino and incumbent Councilors Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Simple Distrito, Carlos Jose Lopez, Archie Baribar, Israel Salanga, Dindo Ramos and Bartolome Orola Sr.

Also present were former councilor-now-city administrator Em Legaspi-Ang and party member Marlon Solidum.

"Our meeting centered on moving towards the finalization of the party slate and the filing of the certificate of candidacies (COCs) in October which is fast approaching," Leonardia said.

The mayor said everyone was asked to speak and those present reaffirmed their decision and commitment to run under the banner of the GP.

They also reiterated their continued support to the party platform, policies and programs, he said.

Leonardia added that discussions were open and the atmosphere was cordial.

Leonardia said Espino happened to be the last one to speak. After he had given his piece, the mayor responded, which started a long exchange of views and opinions.

"As there was an apparent disagreement on certain sensitive matters, that was when Councilor Espino volunteered to leave while the meeting was ongoing. The manner of his physical exit, in fact, was also cordial. There was even that friendly fist bump," Leonardia said.

"In closing, allow me to thank Councilor Espino for his involvement all these years that he had been with Grupo Progreso. The political circumstances, however, as it could happen elsewhere, may change accordingly though," he said.

"Again, his parting of ways with his party mates was his own voluntary act. As explained earlier, no one had asked him to leave the GP nor was there any effort to ease him out as what appeared in that news story," he added.

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Rider dies in motorcycle-car collision

Posted: 05 Sep 2021 08:20 AM PDT

A MOTORCYCLE rider died after he was hit by a car driven by a senior citizen along the provincial road of Barangay Zone 12-A in Talisay City Friday, September 3, 2021.

Authorities identified the fatality as Daryl Duquiza, 35, of Barangay Efigenio Lizares in the said city.

Initial investigation showed that the car driver, 66-year-old Damian Diaz, of the city's Barangay Dos Hermanas, fell asleep so his vehicle went to the other lane hitting the approaching motorcycle.

Due to the strong impact, the victim and his motorcycle were thrown away.

One of his legs was almost cut off. He died on the spot.

The suspect was detained at the police station. He is facing reckless imprudence resulting in homicide charges.

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Negros Occidental intensifies watch against fake swab tests

Posted: 05 Sep 2021 08:19 AM PDT

THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental is stepping up its efforts in checking those coming into the province after it was discovered that fake reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests are still prevalent.

Zeaphard Caelian, head of the Provincial Incident Management Team (PIMT), said they discovered some websites offering fake RT-PCR tests for travelers with functioning quick response or QR codes, where data also appears.

When texted, the system also replies back, he said.

Caelian reiterated that they still have ways to know if the RT-PCR test being submitted is fake.

They are contacting directly the laboratory who performed the test and check if the name of the individual in question is on their list, he said.

The PIMT head reminded travelers attempting to enter the province not to transact with individuals who are processing fake documents, saying they are not only endangering themselves and the public but also their own families.

The province previously caught several individuals who have faked either their RT-PCR tests or their travel documents.

Submitting fake RT-PCR test results can earn a person criminal charges, which include falsification of public documents and violating provisions of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases Act.

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Isabela, Toboso ‘free zones’

Posted: 05 Sep 2021 08:18 AM PDT

THE towns of Toboso and Isabela have been declared "free zones" or "zona libre" in the coming 2022 Elections, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante said.

Escalante, who is the secretary-general of the United Negros Alliance (Unega), said the two towns are political "hotbeds," considering that members of Unega and Love Negros will run against each other.

In Toboso, Madonna Marañon-Jaojoco, wife of incumbent Mayor Richard Jaojoco, will be running for mayor, with former Liga ng Barangay president Maria Luisa dela Cruz as her running mate for the vice mayoralty post.

Love Negros has yet to choose between former mayor Evelio "Dodong" Valencia and incumbent Toboso Vice Mayor Jesse Rex Bartolome as their candidate for mayor in the 2022 elections.

In Isabela town, incumbent Mayor Irene Consunji-Montilla, a Love Negros member, will go for her second term and will be challenged by Vice Mayor Renato Malabor Jr., a member of Unega.

Escalante said there are new political alliances in the two municipalities, although he stressed that nothing is final yet.

He said they currently have 11 incumbent Unega mayors.

Running for reelection are Marxlen dela Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto, Manuel Escalante III of Manapla, Nicholas Yulo of Bago City, Rex Jalando-on of La Carlota City, Jose Maria Alonso of Pontevedra, Jilson Tubillara of San Enrique, Raymund Tongson of Himamaylan City, Alejandro Mirasol of Binalbagan, Rhumyla Mangilimutan of La Castellana, Ellla Celestina Yulo of Moises Padilla and himself for Cadiz City.

Escalante said their party is set to hold a provincial assembly either on September 25 or 26 with the venue to be announced later.

One of the agendas during the event is the issuance of a statement of support to the tandem of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer.

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Army condemns killing of Cafgu member

Posted: 05 Sep 2021 08:17 AM PDT

THE 303rd Infantry Brigade (IB) of the Philippine Army has condemned the Communists Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) for killing a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) Active Auxiliary (CAA) in Vallehermoso town, Negros Oriental on September 1, 2021.

Cerilo Paderna, 51, of Barangay Pinocauan in the said town and assigned at Maglahos Patrol Base under the 62nd Infantry Battalion, succumbed to multiple wounds when he was shot by 10 armed men believed to be members of the CPP-NPA's Central Negros Front 1 in Sitio Basyao, Barangay Pinocauan.

Items recovered from the scene of the crime included three pieces of fired M16 rifle ammunition, five fired Caliber 45 pistol ammunition, one Caliber 45 cartridge and a slug of Caliber 5.56mm.

Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd IB, said this inhumane act of the CPP-NPA terrorists must be condemned to full extent.

Pasaporte said it is a desperate move to kill innocent civilians just to show that their senseless organization is not in continuing defeat in Negros.

"We pity those Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members whose spiritual and moral values have been destroyed by a senseless armed struggle and resorted to this kind of violence," he said.

The army official further said that "your army in Negros extends our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and loved ones of Paderna who are currently grieving for their loss during this difficult time of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic."

The 303rd assured that together with the Philippine National Police, they will assist the family in filing charges against the perpetrators.

It will also urge the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and other human rights advocacy groups to investigate the murder of Paderna.

Pasaporte also called on the CPP-NPA to lay down their arms, abandon the armed struggle and join the mainstream society for the attainment of just and lasting peace.

The Leonardo Panaligan Command of the NPA's Central Negros Guerrilla Front, meanwhile, alleged that Paderna was behind the raid against "Ka Joshua" and "Ka Minggoy" in Sitio Natae, Barangay Bucalan in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental in 2012.

The group, in a statement, said Paderna is one of the three targets of the NPA "based on the offenses they committed against the revolutionary movement."

It clarified that not all Cafgu members are being targeted by the NPA, adding that "this will serve as warning to the members of Cafgu and military informant against the CPP-NPA."

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Bacolod exec to police: Double efforts to solve killings

Posted: 05 Sep 2021 08:16 AM PDT

BACOLOD City Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairperson of the City Council committee on police matter, urged the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to double its effort to solve the series of killing incidents in the city.

"It's very, very alarming and our policemen should double its effort to identify and arrest the suspects," he said.

Last week, a headless body Glenn Castillo, 42, of Barangay Cabug, was dumped along Rosario Street, Barangay 38, Bacolod City while its severed head was also found on Purok Sigay, Barangay 2, in the city.

On August 29, Staff Sergeant Joseph Nepomuceno, 37, a member of City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) and resident of Barangay 14, Bacolod City, was shot to death by two unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants on Rosario Street in Barangay 38.

Espino said policemen should be deployed in various areas for a visibility patrol to preempt the possible operations of lawless elements.

He said Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Guillermo Eleazar also ordered the BCPO and Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas to look into the killing of Nepomuceno.

"We are hopeful that our police will solve the killings and give justice to the family of the victims," he added.

Espino noted that these incidents are not unique in Bacolod because it is also happening in other places in the country.

Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran earlier said Bacolod City had several shooting incidents that remained unsolved with no identification of the suspects.

He said BCPO should intensify its visibility patrol with the help of the village watchmen and install security cameras to preempt the possible operation of lawless elements.

"Policemen should do their part to solve the killings so that we will have peace of mind," he added.

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Panelo: Negros Occidental mayors want Sara for continuity

Posted: 05 Sep 2021 08:16 AM PDT

CALLS for Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run for president have been gathering steam in Negros Occidental, with at least a dozen city and municipal mayors wanting her to join the race for the country's top seat in the May 2022 elections.

The shared sentiments of 12 local chief executives were relayed by Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, whom they had met and shared their concerns during his visit to the province recently.

He was joined by former Negros Occidental registrar of deeds lawyer Romulo Gonzaga, provincial chairman of "Run Sara Run," "Sara All" convenor Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson, Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco, San Enrique Mayor Jilson Tubillara, Pontevedra Mayor Jose Maria Alonso and Hinoba-an Mayor Ernesto Estrao.

Silay City Mayor Mark Golez, Hinigaran Mayor Nadie Arceo and La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan have also aired their support to the snowballing call for the Davao City mayor to run for president next year.

The mayors want Duterte-Carpio to run because they want continuity, Panelo said.

Panelo said he was the first one to push Duterte-Carpio to run for president as early as three and a half years ago.

"I started the Sara Duterte for president movement," he said.

The lawyer added that with the younger Duterte's consistent high survey ratings, he is confident of her victory in next year's polls.

Panelo said even in Capiz and Iloilo, the mayors he met also want the lady mayor from Mindanao to run for president to ensure continuity of the initiatives started under the administration of her father, President Rodrigo Duterte.

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Bacolod police arrest over 60 drug suspects, net almost P2.7-M shabu in August

Posted: 05 Sep 2021 08:13 AM PDT

THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) arrested over 60 drug personalities and seized a total of P2.653 million worth of shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride from August 1 to 31, 2021.

Police Major Sherlock Gabana, spokesperson of BCPO, said the police conducted a total of 48 drug busts that led to the recovery of 390.237 grams of shabu with an estimated market value of P 2,653,611.60.

Gabana said the operations also led to the arrest of 62 drug personalities. Of them, 60 were street-level drug personalities and two were newly identified individuals in Bacolod City.

All of them were already charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

For the same period, about 54 persons with pending arrest warrants were arrested, including 11 most wanted persons and 43 other wanted persons charged with various offenses.

In the campaign against all forms of illegal gambling, the BCPO also conducted a total of 17 operations in violation of Presidential Decree (PD) 1602 and PD 449 that led to the arrest of 57 individuals.

The police also recovered a total of P3,811 bet money and 32 cases have been filed in courts against the violators.

In the campaign against loose firearms, and in the continuous information drive of the Philippine National Police's program Oplan Katok on annual verification of firearms, a total of six firearms were voluntarily surrendered to BCPO.

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P102,000 ‘shabu’ seized in Bacolod

Posted: 05 Sep 2021 08:13 AM PDT

AN ESTIMATED P102,000 worth of suspected shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride was seized in a drug bust by operatives of Drug Enforcement Group-Western Visayas in Sitio Sibucao, Barangay Banago, Bacolod City over the weekend.

The operation also led to the arrest of Raymark Dalisay, 25, and Bonna Jane Buenaflor, 24, both residents of the said barangay.

Police records showed the suspects were arrested after they sold a sachet of illegal drugs to a police undercover around 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Police recovered from the suspects' possession three big plastic sachets of shabu weighing 15 grams, P27,000 boodle money, P1,000 cash and electric motor vehicle.

The suspects are detained at the custodial facility of Police Station 2.

They will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

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Velasco, other lawmakers arrive in Negros Occidental

Posted: 05 Sep 2021 07:27 AM PDT

HOUSE Speaker Lord Allan Velasco along with several other congressmen have arrived in the province Friday, September 3, 2021.

Silay City Mayor Mark Andrew Golez said Velasco and other congressmen attended the christening of the twin sons of former deputy speaker Mercedes Alvarez as godparents at a church in Bacolod City.

"They were here fly in and fly out only," he said.

Golez said Negros Occidental Third District Representative Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez hosted a lunch for the congressmen, where he was also invited was unable to meet them.

With Speaker Velasco were Representatives Sharon Garin, Mark Enverga, Kristine Singson Meehan, Wes Gatchalian, Toff De Venecia, Johnrey Tiangco, Carlos Cojuangco, and House Seretary General Mark Llandro "Dong" Mendoza, Golez said.

They were joined by Negros Occidental Congressmen Gerardo Valmayor, Leo Rafael Cueva, Juliet Marie Ferrer and Greg Gasataya, he added.

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