These rioters have caused damage to properties and harm to both the public and authorities.
In a statement, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed on Sunday, September 21, that law enforcement authorities maintain peace during rallies by exercising maximum tolerance.
However, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla that the chief executive stressed that those who cause disorder will be apprehended.
“Ang utos ng Pangulo panatiliin mapayapa ang mga rallies, for police to exercise maximum tolerance pero huhulihin lahat ng manggugulo,” said Remulla.
The DILG chief personally went to Mendiola to oversee and guide the policemen deployed to manage the rally, which soon escalated to a full-blown riot after a group of youngsters hijacked the peaceful demonstration and began their violent acts.
It started when rocks were hurled at policemen in the Mendiola area, which took place after the same group set on fire a container van stationed at the foot of Ayala Bridge earlier this afternoon.
As of writing, police and firemen are in the process of dispersing and arresting these erring youngsters.
Nationwide protests were held on Sunday, September 21, to condemn alleged corruption in flood control projects.
The largest demonstrations were the Baha Sa Luneta held in Luneta, Manila, and the Trillion Peso March at the People Power Monument in Quezon City, which the Interior Secretary described as “peaceful and orderly.”
Sec. Remulla said that the administration respects the constitutional right of citizens to assemble and express their grievances peaceably, but emphasized that this right must be exercised within the bounds of the law.
“We will protect the citizens’ right to peaceably assemble to redress their grievance, but we will not tolerate instability and violence,” Remulla noted.