A businessman was shot dead allegedly by his houseboy at the residence of his father at the Capitolville Subdivision in Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City, at about 7:30 p.m. yesterday.

Bacolod City Police officer-in-charge Senior Supt. Celestino Guara identified the fatality as Benedict Gochangco, who died on the spot from a gunshot wound on his back.

The household helper, who was identified as Julius Gonzaga of Brgy. San Miguel, Murcia town, Negros Occidental, was arrested by the police and is now detained at the lock-up cell of Police Station 4.

Bacolod Regional Trial Court Judge Ray Alan Drilon, in a decision released yesterday, ordered a shipping firm to pay P4.8 million to the kin of three Bacoleños who died when its M/V Asia South Korea inter-island vessel sank off Bantayan Island on Dec. 23, 1999.

The court holds Trans-Asia Shipping Lines Inc. and Capt. Porferio Labagday “at fault and negligent in the discharge of their obligation as a common carrier,” the judge ruled.

Drilon was acting on a civil case for damages filed by Milbeth and Simplicio Nepacena Jr. for the death of their children Jumille Marie and Jesselle, and by Esmelinda Tio and Brenda Tio Uytiepo, for the death of  their sister Suzette Tio.

Police are beefing up security in churches like the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City*

The Negros Occidental Provincial Highway patrol and the Philippine Coast Guard-Bacolod yesterday assured the safety of passengers traveling to their hometowns today to commemorate the Lenten Season.

Senior Police Officer 4 Wilfredo Silva, the Provincial Highway Patrol chief, said they will inspect the bus terminals today to make sure that safety measures are implemented. 

Silva also said that the members of the Provincial Highway patrol will help in inspecting the bags of the travelers, and will also put up assistance centers in bus terminals..