Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said police officers deployed during the massive anti-corruption protests in Manila exercised restraint despite violent clashes that left dozens injured.
According to Remulla, officers were ordered to observe “maximum tolerance” throughout the demonstrations. He stressed that law enforcers were unarmed and maintained discipline. “There was no discharge of weapon from any PNP official,” he said.
Tensions escalated when some protesters hurled Molotov cocktails, forcing personnel to push back. Official figures show that 216 individuals were arrested during the unrest, including 89 minors. Of the minors, 65 were identified as children in conflict with the law while 24 were classified as children at risk, or those aged 14 and below.
Remulla confirmed that 95 police officers were wounded in the confrontations. He emphasized that no protesters died and none suffered serious injuries, noting that the casualties were mostly on the side of law enforcement.
The September 21 protests, staged on the anniversary of Martial Law, drew thousands calling for accountability in government flood control projects, but several areas of Metro Manila saw outbreaks of violence, particularly near Mendiola and Ayala Bridge. Arrests and injuries mounted as masked protesters clashed with security forces guarding the routes leading to Malacañang.
