By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Militant groups clashed with police yesterday, attempting to break through MassKara Festival sites with President Rodrigo Duterte in town for the close of the annual celebration.

Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Negros Occidental chapter Secretary-General Noli Rosales said the president has not fulfilled his promises, namely, ending  job contractualization and continuing peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF).

He also accused the president of “protecting land grabbers” and using the police to kill innocent people.

“He’s been bringing suffering to the people,” Rosales said.

The group leader also slammed the president over the issue of jeepney modernization, calling it a burden to the transport sector.

In addition, Rosales criticized Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) and the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), claiming his group was promised a protest site near La Consolacion College-Bacolod, but were blocked once they reached the rear of the Provincial Capitol.

After a negotiation between police and demonstrators, the groups were allowed to hold a protest program in front of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) office./DGB, WDJ