Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Wednesday delivered an inaugural speech in Metro Manila as the newly-reelected president.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) 

    MANILA, June 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Two were hurt on Wednesday when police was trying to disperse a protest mass in the central city of Cebu, where President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's oath-taking ceremony took place, police said.

    Local police said that members of the militant group, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, were hurt after they were truncheoned when the policemen tried to disperse them in downtown Cebu.

    The 200 or so protestors from several groups reportedly wanted to march and submit a petition opposing to the increase in electricity rates, demanding for a wage increase, scrapping of theoil deregulation law, and a review of the labor laws to protect the workers.

    About 100 policemen, 20 members of the Special Weapons and Tactics, and a fire truck were ordered to respond to the incident but after an ensuing chaos, the protesters merely took several steps back and still refused to leave the area, the police said.

    According to the police, at a separate site in the city, some 500 members of the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (Coalition of United Filipinos, KNP) also staged a rally in support of their defeated candidate, movie actor Fernando Poe Jr.

    Arroyo took the oath before Supreme Court Chief Justice HilarioDavide at the Cebu provincial capitol grounds after she delivered a pre-inauguration speech at Rizal Park in downtown Manila earlierthis morning.

    Apart from government officials and local supporters, more than 100 dignitaries from 29 countries and two international organizations were also at present and witnessed the ceremony.

    Although the president has repeatedly called for reconciliation,the opposition supporters still claimed to stage protest along with the inauguration ceremony especially against the alleged electoral fraud.

    In case of that, at least 4,000 policemen and soldiers were deployed in Cebu city to ensure peace and order for the president's inaugural ceremony and succeeding celebration party. Enditem¡¡