Philippine Coast Guard and rescue groups from Negros Occidental and Iloilo saved all 178 passengers and crew of MV Asia Malaysia that sank about three kilometers from Barangay Punta Salong, Manapla, at about at 8:50 a.m. yesterday.

Manapla Mayor Lourdes Escalante said an alert has been raised for a possible oil spill in Manapla waters after the sinking of the vessel.

Commodore Athelo Ybañez, Western Visayas Coast Guard commander, yesterday also confirmed that close monitoring for a possible oil spill from MV Asia Malaysia was up amid reports of oil sleek sightings.

Two of the three suspects in the brutal killing of two teenage house helpers, one of whom was raped, at the residence of their employer in Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City, five months ago were arrested by the police and were presented to the media Saturday.

City Police Director, Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, identified them as Jestoni Carlo del Prado, “alias Biboy Simon” and his cousin Jesus Niepes, “alias Panot”, both 24 years old and residents of Brgy. 35, Bacolod.

De la Paz said Del Prado was arrested at his residence at about 9:35 a.m. Thursday, while Niepes was collared at his house at about 10:45 p.m. Friday and a .22 caliber magnum revolver with 4 live ammunitions were recovered.

Bacolod City Police Deputy Director, Supt. Santiago Rapiz, announced Saturday a major breakthrough in the investigation into killing of Ilog Councilor Antonio “Karem” Gequillana with the positive identification of the gunman.

Rapiz, who is also the head of the “Task Force Gequillana”, however, refused to give details on the identity of the suspect while operations for his arrest are ongoing.

During a case conference at the Bacolod City Police Office headquarters, Rapiz said they presented the picture of the suspect to the witnesses and they positively identified him.