Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that the violent disturbance in Mendiola on September 21 was not a genuine protest but a paid operation designed to destabilize the government.
Remulla said the incident involved children as young as 11, recruited from Quiapo and reportedly given ₱3,000 each to participate. “Mukhang lumalabas organized group… ang bayad nila sa mga bata ay 3,000 each. May mga videos pa kami na pinapakita nila mga pera nila at niyayabang sa social media,” he revealed.
According to him, the instructions given to the participants were blunt and dangerous: “Ang instruction, kung kaya niyo umabot ng palasyo, sunugin niyo. Ganoon lang.”
The secretary stressed that the event was not politically motivated but purely money-driven. “Hindi sila cause-oriented; money-oriented lang. Bayad lang kaya ang leadership at organization level nila, mababa lang,” he added.
Authorities said 217 individuals are under investigation, 95 of them minors. Evidence under review includes testimonies, social media posts, photos, and videos. While some names have surfaced, Remulla clarified that no charges have been filed yet. “No one is exempt from being investigated… tinitingnan namin. Kailangan may solid case build-up bago kami mag-prosecute,” he emphasized.
Police officers were also attacked during the riot, sustaining injuries after being hit with fireworks, tear gas, and water believed to have been taken from canals. “Nakakaawa talaga ‘yung mga pulis natin… Binubuhusan sila sa mukha na galing sa poso negro. Sila [rioters] ang nagdala ng tear gas,” Remulla said. He clarified that only smoke grenades were used by police to disperse the crowd.
The DILG chief warned of similar infiltration in future demonstrations. “Kapag may kilos-protesta ulit, pwedeng pasukin ulit… gusto nila mag-snowball ng suporta habang sinusunog nila ‘yung mga pasilidad ng gobyerno,” he noted.
He concluded by underscoring the Marcos administration’s stance on due process: “According nga kay Presidente, we are a nation of laws, not of men… Hindi pupwede ‘yung basta-basta kami magtuturo ng daliri. We have a very liberal democracy, but we have to maintain its stability.”
The DILG is working with law enforcement and the Department of Justice as the investigation continues.
