The documentation team for victims of the then Marcos dictatorial regime which committed atrocities in the province, including the whole island, advised those who suffered during the period of martial law, September 21, 1972 and one month after the EDSA Revolt, to file compensation claims now, Lily Limaco, previously of the Mothers and Relatives Against Tyranny (MARTYR) with her, along with Claims and Assistance Processing Office (CAPO) Chair Edgar Cadagat, took charge of processing claims, years back.

Limaco and this reporter established the group, CAPO which took charge of documenting the victims’ claims, for filing of the class suit of those from Negros Occidental in the US Hawaii Court. There was yet no inkling of any kind that victims will get compensation for human rights violations they suffered during martial law declared as Presidential Decree 1081 by the then late President many say, a dictatorial regime then.

A revolver was voluntarily turned-over to police authorities in Escalante City through the station’s balik baril program.

Armando Lausa, 42, of Purok Bayong, Brgy. Balintawak endorsed a homemade caliber .38 without serial number, recently following a pulong-pulong at the said barangay.

Over in Victorias City, PSupt. Santiago Y. Rapiz, police chief led the arrest of Enrique Palma Jr., 28, of Hacienda Gloria 1, Brgy. 13, for illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions.

A father and son tandem was reportedly robbed by four unidentified persons, recently who waylaid them at Crossing Sitio Sambag, Brgy. Mangahoy, La Castellana town.

Police report said Richel Abendan, 23, and his father, Reynaldo, 57, of Brgy. Biak na Bato were on their way to Hacienda Taborda from their home on board a motorcycle when blocked by the suspects who declared hold-up.

The older Abendan attempted to get away from the group when one of the suspects shot him at the back and robbed him of his P1, 000 cash. The suspects immediately left the scene.

Meanwhile, Reynaldo Abendan was brought to Isabela District Hospital and later transferred to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital for further treatment.

[ DISCLAIMER: Opinions and reactions posted in this section do not necessarily reflect those of NDB and NDBers. - Arman Toga, moderator. ]

[7188] ILLEGAL GAMBLING. Indi mauntat illegal gambling kay indi man gusto sang mga authoridad untaton, do not kill the goose that lays the golden egg. (09396579527)

[7187] VENDORS’ RENTALS. Bacolod officials, administration, listen: May mga inadlaw o tini on pa kamu nga a daw indi nyo gid ma sulbar ang mga vendor. Nga ara na sa dalanon. Kay nakita gid namon nga may naga pang kulekta kada gab i. Arkabala? Sa diin na ga kadto. (09087150206)

[7186] STILL NO WORK. While the economy expanded by 7.8% in the first quarter, the number of unemployed rose 7.5% or 3.09 million have no jobs. This is higher by 6.9% than last year. But PNoy explained the loss of 21,000 jobs resulted from the delayed planting season in the agriculture sector. (09286282072)

[7185] BISHOPS. Ano ba talaga ang gustong mangyari ng CBCP at mga Katolikong pari? Talamak na ang kanilang pakialam sa lahat na bagay. Kahit sa politika nakisawsaw sila. Tumulong at huwag na lang sila makialam sa gobyerno. Hindi naman sila sinusunod ng kanilang mga sakup sa Simbahan. (09198078904)

Atty. Alain "Len" Gatuslao has been sworn in as one of Negros Occidental’s youngest Board Members. The 40 year old lawyer was elected representing the 5th District comprising of his home city of Himamaylan and the towns of Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla.

Board Member Dr. Melvin Ibañez, Rep. Bebot Mirasol, Board Member-elect Atty. Len Gatuslao and family, Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Mrs. Aming and former Usec. Tony Gatuslao.*

Gatuslao took his oath of office in Himamaylan City before Judge Rolando Balgos in simple rites attended by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Rep. Alejandro "Bebot" Mirasol whom the Gatuslaos supported for re-election, as well as outgoing 5th District Board Member Dr. Melvin Ibañez and former APEC Rep. Rene Silos.

The Liberal Party Himamaylan chapter likewise came in full force with City Councilors-elect Nonoy Javelosa and Julie Ann Vasquez also taking their oaths of office in the presence of former Mayor Luz Bayot and various barangay officials.

The Department of National Defence (DND) plans to acquire anti-aircraft guided missiles, which will be positioned in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) as part of the country’s first-ever missile defence system.

Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang disclosed late Saturday that this proposal had reached Philippine Palace and had been the subject of many discussions among cabinet members.

"It’s (the missile acquisition) that had been talked about but I don’t know if we’ve made a decision (yet)," said Carandang, who regularly attends meetings of the cabinet cluster on national security.

Amid fresh Chinese incursions into Philippine waters, Carandang said that what the Navy needed was "sea vessels." He did not elaborate.

INTERESTS OVERWHELMING. The delay in the turning over of more than two dozen documents upon the order of Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, according to news reports, were not complied with and for the third time, already. To facilitate the turnover, transition teams were organized by both sides to ensure the turn-over and smoothly facilitate the needed documents.

But the Leonardia transition team, headed by Moises de la Cruz, were not able to turn over the specified documents presumably because OIC-City Budget Officer, Jasmin Gallo was not ready to turn over the documents presumably because it has not been readied yet. Both teams agreed that the needed documents could be turned over by the Leonardia transition team by June 20, yet. Both sides agreed because if one comes down to it, there was nothing the Monico transition team can do to hasten its turnover. But of course, we acknowledge the fact that former congressman John Orola was at the top of effective and competent performers then. It is not only Monico’s people who are waiting with bated breath for the documents which are expected to say many things about the Leonardia administration, in its last hurrah.

I received a text from Ombet Rosales informing me that his father Alfredo died three days ago.

I know Alfredo "Fred" Rosales way back in my New York days. "Uncle" Jun Velasco introduced him to me.

Fred is a war veteran who claimed his Americanization by going to America, one of those requirements asked by the U.S. government as reasons to continue the war pension these veterans are receiving. Fred is only one of those veterans I had known who had to live alone on their old days so as to receive their pension. The law is so harsh that it requires a fortune if a veteran wants his family with him. In fact it is even better for those activists who shouted "Down with America" and "Yankee go home" while they were still in the Philippines. Many of them I know became fat with the grease of America. They are young and smarter to enter the U.S.

Fred then became a part of my regular Flushing group made up of Uncle Jun, Tito Varua, Sid de Leon, Al Ibarrola, Jesus Vencer, Erde Dato and later on Jerry Basiao.

Special events are ready for the commemoration of 75th Year of the Signing of the Charter of Bacolod City, June 18, 2013

The Kapamilya Karavan of ABAS-CBN Bacolod, in partnership with Panasiatic Call Centers will start 6:00am at the new government center grounds. This is be graced by popular actor Aaron Villaflor who plays a major role in the highly-popular ABS-CBN Primetime Bida Juan De La Cruz.

The show will be hosted by ABC-CBN MOR For Life Disc Jockeys

where there will be games and prizes on the side. It will end with fireworks display.

In compliance with City Ordinance No. 339 series of 2003, stipulating the need to create a City Code in order to enhance the city’s legal information and resource system, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has authorized Bacolod Congressman-elect and Mayor Evelio Leonardia to sign the compromise agreement entered into by the Bacolod City Government with CD Technologies Asia, Inc. The said company will digitize, harmonize and codify the ordinances of the city government from 1938 to 2011, towards the creation of an Omnibus Bacolod City Code and Bacolod City Legislative Archive.

Based on the compromise agreement, the total cost of the project is P2,319,452 payable upon completion of phases 1, 2 and 3. Phase 1 will cost P1,275.698.60; phase 2 - P579,863 and phase 3 - P463,890.