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MANILArich9, Philippines — At least 46 people were injured after demonstrators and police officers clashed in rallies held in Manila during the commemoration of Bonifacio Day yesterday.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Raymond Palatino said 37 activists, mostly youth and workers, were injured, including one who suffered a laceration on the head that was closed using surgical staples.
National Capital Region Police Office director Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin said nine police officers assigned to the Manila Police District (MPD) were injured in the commotion.
Five of them were hit on their heads and other parts of their bodies when members of progressive groups clashed with them along Recto Avenue, but were treated on site, according to MPD spokesman Maj. Philipp Ines.
Aberin said the demonstrators started their activity at 8:45 a.m.
A commotion ensued when members of various cause-oriented groups breached anti-riot police officers, who formed a barricade at the corner of Recto Avenue and Legarda Street in Sampaloc.
Around 1,000 protesters, who are members and leaders of leftist groups, marched from Liwasang Bonifacio in Ermita and attempted to reach the Don Chino Roces Bridge along Mendiola Street near the Malacañang Palace complex, but were blocked by MPD officers and personnel from the police’s civil disturbance management teams, according to Aberin.
“We have one arrest and is being processed,” he said in a message sent through Viber.
Palatino said the activist who was arrested and brought to the MPD headquarters is a member of Bayan Muna.
The demonstrators failed to reach the bridge and settled along Recto Avenue, where they held a program and voluntarily dispersed around 10:40 a.m.
Ines said Mendiola is not a “freedom park,” unlike the Liwasang Bonifacio, which no longer requires a permit from the Manila city government.
At least 1,500 police officers were deployed in Manila as part of security preparations for the commemoration of the 161st birth anniversary of national hero Andres Bonifacio.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to hold accountable protesters whom it condemned for resorting to “acts of violence” that led to injuries and disruption of public order.
While reaffirming its commitment to upholding the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, the PNP asserted that it would never allow a violence that endangers the public or undermines the rule of law.
“Those responsible for instigating chaos and harming others will be held accountable in accordance with the law,” it said in a statement.
For the PNP, the police officers displayed remarkable restraint and professionalism despite facing provocation and aggression.
“We call on everyone to engage in peaceful and meaningful dialogue while refraining from actions that may compromise public safety or disrupt harmony within our communities,” it appealed.
Meanwhilerich9, the MPD might consider filing charges against some protesters who allegedly beat up some of the policemen who blocked them during yesterday’s rallies. — Ghio Ong