Activists, Cops Clash Near Malacañang; Scores Hurt

From the Sunstar

MANILA -- Militant farmers and leftist youth slugged it out with the Manila Police District anti-riot team after the protestors tried to breach the no-rally zone in Mendiola near Malacañang Friday morning.

Three policemen and several protestors among the ranks of the groups Karapatan, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Pamalakaya, Bayan, Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, League of Filipino Students (LFS), and Confederation for the Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) were injured.

Manila Police District Station 8 head Teordorico Perez and Police Officers 2 Jose Talua and Archimedes Calimag were hit with nightsticks on their heads during the melee. They were brought to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Some of the injured activists were initially identified as Loren Rivera -- reportedly a broadcaster from Nueva Ecija, Joaquin Padilla, Lito dela Cruz, and Jay-R Rodriguez. They sustained head injuries after they were hit by police during the encounter while some were hosed down with water cannons.

Reports said 500 rallyists convened at first at the corner of España and P. Noval Streets in Sampaloc, where they were allowed by police to hold a program at around 9 a.m. Among the speakers in the program were Bayan Muna party-list Representative Teodoro Casiño.

"We will assert our right to express our grievances, the police have no right to stop us. And this rally is deemed to have a permit because our application was not acted on after more than two days," said Casiño, who joined the marchers.

Manila Police District Station 4 chief Jovit Asayo said while he was negotiating with the marchers near the corner of España and Morayta, other militants suddenly surged forward, prompting riot police to push them back as they began marching towards Mendiola.

"We allowed their speakers to hold a program. We did not allow them to reach Mendiola. Two of our men were injured in the confrontation," Asayo said.

The clash took place near the corner of España and Lerma Streets.

The marchers were headed for Mendiola to protest the continued killing of activists in the countryside but riot police blocked them.

Some of the participants were reportedly arrested and hauled off to the MPD headquarters but their names were not immediately available.

Some policemen were seen dragging some protesters who tried to board passing jeepneys.

"Kulang pa iyan (That's less than what you deserve)!" one riot policeman was heard shouting at a subdued protester who was among those hosed down.

The incident caused a horrendous traffic jam and forced owners of commercial establishments in the area to close shop temporarily.