Tovic Salvador

A group of protesters who sparked a riot in Recto Avenue during the Sept 21 rallies wanted to copy demonstrations in other countries, the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office said Monday.

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

<p>A group of protesters who sparked a riot in Recto Avenue during the Sept 21 rallies wanted to copy demonstrations in other countries, the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office said Monday.</p><p>PBGen Anthony Aberin, NCRPO chief, said a total of 102 people, including minors, were taken into custody after Sunday’s protest along Mendiola turned violent and led to destruction of property including a hotel lobby.</p><p>“Parang gusto nilang gayahin ‘yung nangyari sa ibang bansa at may iniidolo sila na isang rapper na nag-udyok sa kanila na magpunta doon at mag-uniporme, face masks,” he said in a DZMM interview.</p><p>Social media chatter also showed that a group of rappers had planned to march to Mendiola on Sunday.</p><p>Aberin said the rapper who led the march urged the protesters to wear balaclavas to hide their identities, “No face, no case,” he said. </p><p>The same individual also spoke during the protest, he said.</p><p>Authorities said they are still investigating if a bigger group had financed the rioters.</p><p>He said police had already noticed the group, some of whom were carrying a flag of the Straw Hat Pirates from the popular anime One Piece, after they set off fireworks during Sunday’s “Baha sa Luneta” rally in Rizal Park.</p><p>“My dala sila na black na watawat na may x na buto. Hindi pa nag disperse sa Luneta naglakad na sila papuntayang Ayala Bridge,” he noted.</p><p>He said the group started throwing molotov cocktails after police tried to bar their entry into Mendiola. The group also broke traffic lights, set fire to a motorcycle and destroyed the lobby of a hotel along Recto Avenue.</p><p>A total of 131 cops were wounded during the attacks including 15 who were hospitalized. One cop broke his wrist while another sustained a deep wound on his leg. </p><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=10s&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/u2BCSRyhbJo?&amp;t=6s&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/zGhlTxz5A_0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>A group of protesters who sparked a riot in Recto Avenue during the Sept 21 rallies wanted to copy demonstrations in other countries, the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office said Monday.</p>

Mendiola rioters wanted to copy riots in other countries - NCRPO

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Mendiola rioters wanted to copy riots in other countries - NCRPO

David Dizon,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 22, 2025 10:33 AM PHT

Read More:

mendiola

september 21

recto

ncrpo

riot

straw hat pirates

one piece

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.