The celebration of Labor Day yesterday in Dumaguete City and other parts of Negros Oriental passed without any untoward incidents as various groups staged brief and peaceful mass actions, Provincial Police Director S/Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe said.

A small group of rallyists, composed of about 80 adults and some children, marched around the city streets and voluntarily dispersed by 3:30  p.m., he said.

The rallyists from the group “Lumaya Ka,” carried placards and peacefully lobbied for oil deregulation, the removal of the E-VAT, and wage increase.

Many of those who participated came from Amlan in the north and Sta. Catalina in the south, he said.

In Guihulngan City, about 200 people also took to the streets for a similar mass action, although the group also dispersed later, Buenafe said.

The police provided assistance to the rallyists and ensured that traffic was smooth and the public was not affected.

Meanwhile, Buenafe said the low turnout of rally groups is one of the indications of a dwindling mass-base support of the Communist New People's Army.

He noted that several years ago, at the height of the insurgency problem in Negros Oriental, militant groups were very visible and held mass actions not just on Labor Day but also on many other occasions when they had some to gripe against government.

This year, he said, there were no anti-government groups who staged rallies and other mass actions to discredit the Philippine government.

He said the quiet and peaceful celebration of Labor Day here was also a reaffirmation of the gentle nature of the people of Dumaguete and Negros Oriental.*JG

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