Jonathan Frederic De Santos

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Karen De Guzman, ABS-CBN News

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Police called out and apprehended three men wearing balaclavas and vests marked “PRESS” during a protest in Manila on Sunday.</p><div> </div><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:560px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;text-align:center"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:560px;height:560px;display:block;flex-grow:1" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1994987858395049985&amp;lang=en&amp;maxWidth=560px&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Aod2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2025-11-30T03%3A23%3A28.300437%3Abef19aea-b3c9-4ecc-8664-66eb9f51ff59%26action%3Dedit&amp;sessionId=8c597a4cdabe3db7cf0199c9bbba93c084a8514e&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" data-tweet-id="1994987858395049985"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><div><br/></div><p>According to the initial police report, the individuals were spotted at around 8:50 a.m. near Plaza Salamanca along Kalaw Avenue.</p><p>Officers approached them after noticing their face coverings, which are prohibited under a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/25/manila-bans-balaclavas-face-coverings-in-public-commercial-spaces-2002">new Manila City ordinance</a>.</p><p>The three men were invited for questioning at the police station.</p><p>They claimed to be contributors to the KS21 Facebook page, believed to be linked to “Kilusang Septyembre 21”, which they described as a freelance media outfit funded by an undisclosed non-government organization.</p><p>According to its Facebook page, Kilusang Septyembre Bente Uno KS21 is a youth coalition and NGO that identifies as &quot;pro-accountability, anti-corruption and pro-Philippines.&quot;</p><p>Authorities are verifying the men’s identities as well as their affiliation with the alleged media group.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/23/youth-group-wary-of-potential-abuse-of-manila-s-ban-on-balaclavas-face-coverings-1142"><strong>Youth group wary of potential abuse of Manila&#x27;s ban on balaclavas, face coverings</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid036rfFSsTJrQWedj1weoin566nhhuJ5fmwsMVPXFmKDyqLGEghpWXRbvSEXPUzFwGjl%26id%3D61582144641808&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="506" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div> </div><div><strong>PNP MONITORING PROTEST SITES </strong></div><p>In a separate statement, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police continue to keep a close watch over peaceful assemblies in key areas across Metro Manila.</p><p>“As the day progresses, we are closely monitoring the peaceful assemblies taking place in key areas in Metro Manila. Reports from our ground commanders indicate that crowds continue to grow at the People Power Monument in Quezon City and at the Luneta in Manila, with more individuals still arriving,” Nartatez said.</p><p>He lauded the discipline shown by participants so far, saying their orderly conduct boosts the police’s confidence that the events will remain centered on calls for truth and accountability.</p><p>He added that the PNP’s security posture remains steady and adaptive, noting that additional teams were deployed not to restrict rights, but to ensure the safe movement of the increasing number of demonstrators.</p><p>“We are also keeping close watch on choke points and nearby roads to avoid congestion and to make sure emergency lanes remain open,” he said.</p><p>Police units, he emphasized, have been instructed to exercise maximum tolerance, maintain open communication with rally organizers, and respond only when necessary to protect life and property.</p><p>Nartatez also referred to an incident last September, when individuals not affiliated with main protest groups attempted to create disorder in Manila.</p><p>“We are determined to prevent similar acts today. Our quick response teams, civil disturbance units, and traffic personnel are strategically positioned to immediately address any attempt to disrupt the event,” he added.</p><p>The PNP chief assured demonstrators that their safety remains a priority.</p><p>“With your continued cooperation, we believe today’s gatherings will end without incident. Your Philippine National Police stands beside the public, committed to safeguarding everyone’s welfare from start to finish,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sgpmbuzxb5E?si=1VYmaILACDKmTNlT" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div>

<p>Three men wearing balaclavas and vests marked “PRESS” were called out by police during a protest action in Manila City on Sunday.</p>

Three men wearing balaclavas and vests marked “PRESS” were called out by police during a protest action in Manila City on Sunday.

Police call out, apprehend 3 men wearing balaclavas during Manila protest

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Police call out, apprehend 3 men wearing balaclavas during Manila protest

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 30, 2025 01:54 PM PHT

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