2 injured, attack
by rebels foiled
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

Army and police officials yesterday claimed to have foiled possible attack by New People’s Army against “soft targets”, including an ethanol plant, after an encounter late Thursday night at a checkpoint site in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

The encounter led to the injuries of a rebel and a soldier, the officials claimed.

About 20 NPA rebels, on board luxury Starex Hyundai and Nissan Escapade vans, were intercepted at a checkpoint that was jointly manned by 6th Regional Public Safety Battalion, 62nd Infantry Battalion and local policemen, at the highway of Sitio Talave, Brgy. Punao, San Carlos City.

Philippine Airlines is increasing its flights to the Bacolod-Silay Airport starting next week to meet an expected surge in visitors for Bacolod’s  MassKara Festival, its manager Fernando Bermejo announced yesterday.

He said the increase  is in response to the request of Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia for more flights to accommodate visitors and tourists.

In his October 5 letter to PAL president Jaime Bautista, Leonardia said that while he and those involved in the festival recognize PAL’s present operational situation, they expect many tourists to converge in the city, as indicated by the reservations placed in the hotels and similar establishments.

Two lovers dancing on a cloud, a big smiling mask with colorful umbrellas, and two figures riding on zebras are just among the six three-dimensional art installations created by Bacolod artist Charlie Co that were unveiled yesterday at the fountain area of the Bacolod City Government Center, as part of the MassKara Festival highlights.

These surreal and magical figures found in the paintings of Co, an internationally renowned visual artist that had been executed by local artists is called “Dreamer’s Floating Carousel.”

 This is the last of the three MassKara landmarks established for this year’s festival.