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ABS-CBN reporters describe what they saw during Sept 21 rallies

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

<p>ABS-CBN News reporters Dennis Datu and Jessie Cruzat talk about their experience covering the September 21 rallies.</p><p>Speaking to DZMM, Datu said he was covering the pro-Duterte rally in Liwasang Bonifacio when organizers announced that they would be marching to Malacanang.</p><p>“In 30 minutes, susugod na sila papuntang Malacanang. Ready na ba ang mga lighter niyo? Doon ako nakaramdam na may mangyayaring kakaiba,” he recalled one organizer as saying.</p><p>He said he immediately went to Recto Avenue and witnessed how some of the protesters were already throwing rocks and molotovs at police. “Parang riot na talaga ‘yung nangyayari,” he said.</p><p>He also noted that those throwing rocks were clearly minors. “Hindi mo alam kung ano ang gustong mangyari ng mga ito. Parang hindi na talaga tungkol sa korapsyon…”</p><p>Datu said there was a lull as police were able to arrest some of the protesters. However, the protesters again started gathering when they saw that he was about to go live for the TV Patrol Weekend newscast and started shouting cursing words and shoving him when he went live.</p><p>Cruzat, meanwhile, said he was covering the Luneta rally when organizers started wrapping up at 2 p.m.</p><p>He said he was on his way to Recto when he received word of a commotion along Ayala Bridge.</p><p>He said some of the protesters came prepared, with molotovs, bottles filled with paint and even excrement. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-QnFd-a3RQ?&amp;t=235s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O-AVBNqcPd0?&amp;t=127s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k1PFarTL2-E?&amp;t=11s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>ABS-CBN News reporters Dennis Datu and Jessie Cruzat talk about their experience covering the September 21 rallies.</p>

ABS-CBN News reporters Dennis Datu and Jessie Cruzat talk about their experience covering the September 21 rallies.