BACOLOD CITY : Eleven personnel of the 604th Company of the Philippine National Police Regional Mobile Force Battalion in Western Visayas (RMFB-6) have safely returned to their respective units after sustaining injuries when their service vehicle figured in a road accident at Barangay Caningay in Candoni town, Negros Occidental province on Monday.   Lt. Judesses Catalogo, public information officer of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), in a virtual press briefing on Tuesday, said the policemen were slightly injured and immediately discharged after seeking treatment at a hospital in the neighboring Kabankalan City.   “As of last night, they

TACLOBAN CITY: The death of the top leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Visayas during a clash in Las Navas, Northern Samar will cause a leadership vacuum among armed rebels in the region, an official of the Philippine Army said on Tuesday.   Philippine Army 20th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Joemar Buban said the communist group in the region is now demoralized by the death of Helenita Pardales alias Ka Elai, the top leader of the NPA Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.   Pardales is one of the six slain rebels when government forces launched an

MANILA: Local producers are urging Filipino consumers to patronize Filipino-made products for their noche buena and Christmas gifts.   “We have always been consistent in our advocacy of supporting local food producers. We urge everyone to buy from our food producers, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Whenever we buy from them, we not only boost the sale of their products but also ensure they have a stable source of income. Ngayong Pasko, aguinaldo niyo na sa mga kababayan natin ang pagbili ng mga produkto nila (Buying local products would be your gift to them),” said Asis Perez, former

BORONGAN CITY: The local government of Borongan City in Eastern Samar province ensures the promotion of gender equality as it hosts the 3rd leg of the Philippine National Surfing Championship this week.   This is the first time in the history of surfing competition that the male and female categories have the same cash prizes, said Surf in the City chairperson Rupert Ambil on Monday.   Providing equal cash prizes for both male and female athletes implies that the city recognizes the ability and talent of both gender and even members of the LGBTQ, Ambil added.   “If you can’t

LEGAZPI CITY : An unidentified New People’s Army (NPA) member was killed while high-powered firearms were seized when government forces engaged armed rebels in a firefight in a remote village in Placer, Masbate on Monday.   In a report on Tuesday, the Masbate Provincial Police Office said the operating team was conducting combat operations when it came across members of the communist group which led to a 15-minute firefight and killing of one of the insurgents.   “Recovered at the encounter site were one unit M-16 rifle of the slain rebel including one bandolier with eight pieces of a steel

MANILA: At least 45 non-commissioned officer (NCO) students from the Philippine Army (PA) have joined a four-day foreign academic travel in Malaysia.   The NCO students are members of Sergeant Major Class 09-2022, said Army spokesperson, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a statement.   “The delegation was headed by Training and Doctrine Command deputy commander Brig. Gen. Alvin Flores together with nine directing staff,” he added.   The four-day visit, from Nov. 21 to 24, included an information briefing on the Malaysian Army Academy’s history, structure, roles and functions.   “The SMC students also learned about NCO leadership courses, challenges on