Camille Naredo

Youth protesters clash with anti-riot police at Mendiola in Manila during an anti-corruption rally marking the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Youth protesters clash with anti-riot police at Mendiola in Manila during an anti-corruption rally marking the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law on Sunday, September 21, 2025. The violent confrontation erupted after a group of demonstrators pelted police with rocks, while officers used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd. Protesters demand accountability from those involved in the alleged multi-trillion-peso corruption cases in government projects.

Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

ANTI CORRUTPION PROTEST

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175854338102720250921-anti-corruption-mendiola-clash-1 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Youth protesters clash with anti-riot police at Mendiola in Manila during an anti-corruption rally marking the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Youth protesters clash with anti-riot police at Mendiola in Manila during an anti-corruption rally marking the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law on Sunday, September 21, 2025. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Anxious Filipino parents braved the rain outside Manila&#x27;s police headquarters Monday, after more than 200 people -- including dozens of children -- were arrested in clashes that erupted during weekend anti-corruption demonstrations.</p><p>At least 88 minors were among those taken into custody as police deployed water cannon and deafening sirens against crowds of mostly young, rock-throwing protesters.</p><p>Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno said a 12-year-old boy was the youngest detained on Sunday. Michelle Blanco told AFP her son Zoren was 13.</p><p>Standing in a line outside the Manila Police District offices, the 45-year-old saleswoman said she hadn&#x27;t been told when her son would be released despite having spent most of the day there.</p><p>&quot;A little information about how they are doing inside or what we should do to get him out means a lot,&quot; she said, insisting her son had only been watching when scooped off the street.</p><p>Elsie Santos said her son Reden had a speech impediment, showing AFP journalists the 27-year-old&#x27;s PWD, or person with disability, card.</p><p>&quot;No one is explaining anything to us at this point,&quot; she said as a small group of youth activists chanted for the prisoners&#x27; release in the background.</p><p>&quot;My son cannot communicate properly, and I&#x27;m scared they won&#x27;t understand him when he explains himself.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/22/witnesses-recount-harrowing-experience-on-recto-tension-1433">READ: Witnesses recount violence, looting by Manila rioters</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/22/no-gunshots-no-tear-gas-pnp-denies-use-of-force-in-manila-riot-1542">READ: No gunshots, no tear gas -- PNP denies use of force in Manila riot</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>- &#x27;Maximum tolerance&#x27; -</strong></div><p>Thousands of Filipinos rallied in Manila on Sunday to vent their anger over a ballooning scandal involving bogus flood-control projects believed to have cost taxpayers billions of dollars.</p><p>But peaceful demonstrations filled with families, activists and clergy were later overshadowed by street battles that saw police vehicles set ablaze and the windows of a precinct headquarters shattered.</p><p>&quot;So far, none of them are saying the reasons behind their actions or if somebody paid them to do it,&quot; regional police spokesperson Major Hazel Asilo said of those arrested.</p><p>&quot;As soon as we know their affiliations, we can know if they were part of the protesters or if they were just causing trouble,&quot; she added.</p><p>According to a statement released Monday by the department of health, about 50 people were taken to one Manila hospital alone following the clashes.</p><p>Police said 93 officers were injured in the melees.</p><p>Amid accusations by at least one local rights group that police had used disproportionate force, interior secretary Jonvic Remulla said their response had been one of &quot;maximum tolerance&quot;.</p><p>&quot;They only had their riot gear and no firearms,&quot; he said of the 4,000 police deployed, noting that no weapons had been discharged or tear gas fired.</p><p>Rage over so-called ghost infrastructure projects has been mounting in the Southeast Asian country since President Ferdinand Marcos put them center stage in a July state of the nation address that followed weeks of deadly flooding.</p><p>The Department of Finance has estimated the Philippine economy lost up to 118.5 billion pesos ($2 billion) from 2023 to 2025 due to corruption in flood control projects.</p><p>Greenpeace has suggested the number is actually closer to $18 billion.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

<p>Anxious Filipino parents braved the rain outside Manila's police headquarters Monday, after more than 200 people -- including dozens of children -- were arrested in clashes that erupted during weekend anti-corruption demonstrations.</p>

Anxious Filipino parents braved the rain outside Manila's police headquarters Monday, after more than 200 people -- including dozens of children -- were arrested in clashes that erupted during weekend anti-corruption demonstrations.

Arrests after protests in Manila leave parents seeking answers

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Arrests after protests in Manila leave parents seeking answers

Agence France-Presse

Published Sep 22, 2025 08:18 PM PHT

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