Policemen seized 716 high-grade tablets of suspected ecstasy pills valued at P1,075,000 following the arrest of an architectural firm contractor in a buy-bust operation at the Palmas del Mar Village and Beach Club in Brgy. Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, at about 7 p.m. Saturday, Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, city police director, said yesterday.

De la Paz identified the arrested suspect as Angelo Jimenez Bongco, 40, of Henrietta Heights, Bacolod City.

Bongco is a “big catch” as he could be the supplier of ecstasy tablets to socialites and party-goers, not only in Bacolod City, but in other parts of the country as well, he said.

Another ranking leader of the New People’s Army was arrested Saturdayby Army and police intelligence operatives at a pension house in Bacolod City.

Military reports said Marilyn Badayos, secretary of the South East Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Sentral Bisayas, with the aliases of Ka Eunice and Jona, was apprehended Saturday morning at the Omar Pension House in Bacolod City, by virtue of two arrest warrants issued by Kabankalan City Judge Henry Arles, and Judge Ananson Jayme of Regional Trial Court Branch 63 in Bayawan, Negros Oriental, for rebellion and murder charges.

Bacolod City took a bold step to celebrate for the first time its Charter Day on June 18 amidst criticisms.

The 73rd Charter Day celebration, which had traditionally been held on October 19, was celebrated with simple rites that included the unveiling of the marker of Commonwealth Act 326, Series of 1938, creating the City of Bacolod, and awarding of prominent athletes of Bacolod City Saturday at the Bacolod City Government Center lobby.

A mass was held earlier with Fathers Narciso and Michael Dela Cruz, as celebrants.