Holiday ceasefire pushed
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

The Paghili-usa sa Paghidaet Negros yesterday called for a ceasefire not only between government forces and the New People's Army, but also among the rival communist rebel factions, in observance of the yuletide season.

"We firmly believe that the armed conflict should be resolved through dialogs and non-violent activities," PsPN official Delia Locsin said.

In the absence of any order for the suspension of military operations, there will be no let-up in tactical offensives against the NPA in the Western Visayas, Maj. Lyndon Sollesta, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, said.

Protestors torch
'GMA' in Bacolod
BY DONALYN GUERRERO

An effigy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo dressed as Santa Claus was burned by about 2,000 protestors while youth protestors staged an "oblation run" in major streets of Bacolod City, to commemorate the 57th year anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Saturday.

Thirty protestors from Alab Katipunan-Negros jogged from Rizal Park at Araneta Street to the Bacolod Rotunda to ask for justice for several human rights violations committed by the present government, Ben Solilapsi, AK spokesperson told the DAILY STAR.

The youth also demanded rights to free education, employment, just wage, rights to organize and free assembly, and right to know the truth.

Police nab Banago resident
for lobbing grenades at cop
BY DONALYN GUERRERO

A Bacolod resident was wounded when he allegedly threw two grenades at a Bacolod police officer who shot him in the right leg at a bridge in Brgy. Sum-ag, Bacolod City, at about 2 p.m. Saturday.

Randy Diamante Benjamin, of Purok Lawayan, Brgy. Banago, in the city was arrested by Police Officer 3 Wilfredo Perez, of Police Precinct 9 for allegedly tossing two grenades model PRD 423 at him. Fortunately, they did not explode.

Senior Insp. Ulysses Ortiz, Precinct 9 station commander, yesterday told the DAILY STAR, PO3 Perez and his men responded to a commotion at the area involving Benjamin and a complainant, whose name was not available at press time yesterday. The Police said the complainant had earlier said he spotted his motorcycle seats near the bridge in Brgy. Sum-ag. He claimed that his motorcycle has been missing for two months.