Activists disrupt PGMA's Masskara opening message
Police and military anti-riot squads block
the rallyists along Araneta Street near
the public plaza.
BACOLOD CITY -- Hundreds of riot police were deployed yesterday at the Bacolod City public plaza as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was the special guest in the opening ceremony of the 29th Masskara Festival.
But the police deployment failed to prevent cause-oriented groups, who gained entry at Araneta Street, from getting close to the plaza eventually disturbing Pres. Arroyo who was delivering her speech during the time.
President Arroyo was disrupted for a while when the riot police dispersed the cause-oriented groups who were shouting their grievances against the administration.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Negros Secretary General Felipe Gelle claimed that by interrupting the speech of the president their group succeeded with their protest.
Earlier, Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said that he was not comfortable with the Bacolod City public plaza as venue for the opening of the Masskara Festival because of high security risk and the heavy traffic problem.
He recommended to the Presidential Management Staff for the affair to be held at the New Government Center but the recommendation was not given due course.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia gave the President a warm welcome "since this is the very first time that the Chief Executive comes and led the opening of the Masskara Festival here in Bacolod City."
The Bacolod City public plaza yesterday was surrounded with colorful balloons and was filled with the Masskara dancers, teachers and students and the spectators.
After a short program at the Bacolod public plaza, President Arroyo proceeded to the inauguration of outsourcing firm Convergy's where she was guest of honor.
Earlier, upon arrival at the Bacolod Silay Airport the president also led the groundbreaking rites for the new four-lane access road going to and from the airport.