NEWSFLASH

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3 DIE IN MASSKARA FESTIVAL MAYHEM

Bacolod City, Oct. 18, 1997 - The annual Masskara Festival of this "city of smiles" turned sour when violent incidents resulted in the death of three and the wounding of several celebrators.

The week-long street parades and dancing turned he city's public plaza into an open-air beer hall, with all-night dancing, dining and drinking.

In one incident, a resident was shot by a member of the police force assigned to maintain peace and order during the festival.

A rumble at the plaza left a Bacolod resident dead from stab wounds, while a fraternity gang war at dawn killed a 17-year-old student.

The Masskara Festival ends tomorrow, with police and barangay officials on red alert tonight for any commotion or unruly behavior that could result in gang wars or street fights.

Tourism officials are worried that the deaths could affect the number of tourists for next year's Masskara feast.

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