Despite President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's proclamation of a state national emergency to foil an alleged coup plot, about 800 local protestors yesterday staged a rally in the major streets of Bacolod City, calling for her immediate removal from her post, as they in commemorated the 20th anniversary of EDSA People Power 1.

Arroyo yesterday issued a Proclamation No. 1017 and ordered the arrest of military officers and civilians allegedly involved in a new plot to overthrow her government.

All protests were banned after Arroyo issued the proclamation directing the armed forces to stop the efforts of a "tactical alliance" between right-wing and communist forces to "create an unconstitutional regime".

Alab Katipunan secretary general Ben Solilapsi yesterday said they defied Arroyo's declaration of a state national emergency, which he consider a violation of the people's constitutional rights.

By banning protest actions, Arroyo had curtailed the people's right to express their grievances, Felipe Levy Gelle of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Negros.

Instead of commemorating the EDSA People Power 1, Solilapsi said the Laban ng Masa marched in protest against Arroyo's proclamation of the state of emergency.

"It is ironic that we obtained democracy during the EDSA People Power 1, and Arroyo has retrieved it from us through the state of emergency proclamation", Solilapsi said.

Solilapsi and Gelle both said Arroyo's declaration of a state of emergency could not hinder and cow them from conducting rallies against her administration.

Gelle, meanwhile said, the Filipinos suffered too much under Arroyo's regime and after 20 years, the nightmare of poverty, hunger, joblessness and oppression continues to affect the Filipino people.

The Laban ng Masa and Bayan-Negros will sustain their mobilization protest in major areas of Bacolod City against Arroyo's administration today, after they were pacified by Bacolod police personnel yesterday.

However, Bacolod City police director Senior Supt. Pedro Merced said yesterday that he will not allow protestors to conduct another rally with or without a permit today.

Merced said the protest by several organized group in Bacolod City, was more peaceful and orderly compared to that in Manila. He said he was glad that local groups stopped protesting after a negotiation between them and the police. He said he has ordered his men to observe maximum tolerance during mass protests.

He said the Bacolod City police is on a full alert status after Arroyo's proclamation of state emergency he has directed his men to be extra vigilant in identifying groups or persons who take advantage of the situation.

He said he instructed his to men to be present in their precincts and conduct a check point operations every hour. Nobody will be allowed to carry firearms with or without a license to carry or permit to carry, aside from members of the PNP and the armed forces, Merced said.*DMG

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