Ni Itchie G. Cabayan
The National Capital Region Office (NCRPO) reported that about 70 policemen were injured during the violent attacks initiated by unknown, masked gang members during the rally in Manila on Sunday afternoon.
According to NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo, six of the cops sustained serious injuries from the violent rallyists who even mauled some of the detailed policemen in the area.
Asilo said that as per the organizers, the Ayala Bridge where the violence erupted was not even part of their planned route.
This was bolstered by radio station DZBB reporter Manny Vargas, who was among those injured while doing a live reporting of the rally.
Vargas reported that a group of masked young rallyists suddenly started throwing rocks, bottles and other hard objects at the direction of the Manila Police District (MPD) personnel deployed in the area of Mendiola and it was when he got hit in the face.
Vargas stated that the rallyists wanted to force their way to Mendiola and Malacanan, which they intended to set on fire.
The rallyists, he said, got angry when they could not pass through due to the big trucks and iron barriers that were placed in the said areas to block rallyists from reaching Malacanan.
The violent youngsters were masked and armed with molotovs and rocks, the reported noted.
Meanwhile, videos of policemen being mauled, as well as street lights and street signs being destroyed by the violent youngsters went around the social media.
Police reported that even private establishments also sustained damages from the said groups.
