By MANILA, Philippines — At least 20 protesters were arrested and 40 police officers were injured after tensions flared during the Sept. 21 anti-corruption protest, according to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin.
“Those arrested really did violate the law. Although we are trying to enforce maximum tolerance, we had to arrest them because they were committing crimes in our presence,” Aberin said in Filipino during an interview with the Inquirer at Mendiola in Manila on Sunday.
As for the injured police officers, the NCRPO chief said: “Some are in the hospital. Some of the wounded are still here with us in our CDM (civil disturbance management) unit.” Tension first broke out at the foot of the Ayala Bridge after rioters clad in black and wearing masks clashed with police and set a trailer on fire near the road to Malacañang Palace, Later, after a program at the Mendiola Peace Arch at around 3:30 p.m., several rioters hurled rocks, bottles, and other objects at the police, prompting officers to fire tear gas and use a water cannon to disperse the crowd.
