During his speech in Iloilo: PNoy taunted by 3 in the crowd

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — President Benigno "P-Noy" Aquino III, while on the second minute of his speech yesterday at the Iloilo River Esplanade in Mandurriao district during his visit to this city, was heckled anew this time from three reported members of the militant group Bayan-Panay.

The Bayan-Panay members, two males and a female, first jumped off a passenger jeepney passing by the Esplanade, quickly made their way through the crowd, slipped past the tight police security and taunted at the president while delivering his speech.

But a composed Aquino momentarily stopped his speech for eight seconds, smiled and told the crowd: "Maraming salamat po sa kanila." This elicited applause from the crowd while his hecklers were whisked away by personnel of the Iloilo City Police Office's Civil Disturbance Management. No arrest was made as the militants quickly dispersed themselves while the police chose not to pursue them.

It was the second kind of treatment that Aquino got while speaking to the crowd, since the Independence Day event in Naga City where a student disrupted his speech with a taunting remark. The heckler was arrested at the time for alarm and scandal.

Shortly before Aquino arrived at the Esplanade, about 80 members of Bayan-Panay, arrived at the site and made noise by raising their opposition to several local issues. However, the security men were quick to stop the protesters to further gain entrance where the president was slated to deliver his speech. They were dispersed by the anti-riot police.

The heckling in Iloilo appeared to have not shaken Aquino's jovial disposition as he went on to thank the Ilonggos for their support to the government's programs. After his 11-minute speech, Aquino granted an interview with the members of the tri-media.

Reylan Vergara of Bayan-Panay, elaborating on his group's action, said they wanted Aquino to be informed of the local issues such as their opposition to the privatization of the Metro Iloilo Water District and the Iloilo Central Market, the construction of the Jalaur River mega-dam in Calinog, Iloilo, justice for Romeo Capalla and Dionisio Garete.

Aquino was in Iloilo City to inaugurate several projects, amounting to P4 billion. He first visited the P1.9 billion 14.18-km four-lane circumferential road in the city, which included four bridges. He then inspected the P700-million Iloilo Convention Center and then the Senator Benigno Aquino Avenue road widening project.

The president then inaugurated the P170-million Iloilo River Plains Subdivision Phase 1 project in Jaro district where he was joined by Senate President Franklin Drilon, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson and Budget Sec. Florencio Abad.

Many political pundits believed that Aquino's visit in Iloilo could be a prelude to the 2016 presidential elections. During his sorties, Drilon and Roxas, both stalwarts of the ruling Liberal Party, tagged along with him.

Incidentally, Vice President Jejomar Binay was also in Iloilo City since the other day. Binay, who has been vocal about his plan to seek the presidency, was in Iloilo for different activities, one of which was the regional convention of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Western Visayas Area. Roxas, who is being groomed as LP's presidential bet, might run against Binay.  (FREEMAN)