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

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<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/175853285802220250921-anti-corruption-mendiola-clash-12.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 — Youth activists staged a protest at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame on Monday, denouncing what they described as “brutal” police actions during the nationwide anti-corruption demonstrations held on September 21.</p><p>The demonstration, led by Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK), came in response to the violent dispersal of protests in Manila and other parts of the country.</p><p>SPARK spokesperson Milo Basuel called on the PNP to immediately release all detained protesters, and demanded a full investigation into the police’s handling of the protests.</p><p>“Marahas silang kinulong, marahas silang dinakip, iba-iba ‘yung hinarap nilang mga bayolensya gamit ang kapangyarihan ng pulis. At dahil doon, nadamay ang isa sa mga kapatid na kasama namin,” Basuel said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/22/dilg-chief-denies-police-gunshots-says-anarchists-to-face-raps-1052">READ: DILG chief denies police gunshots, says &#x27;anarchists&#x27; to face raps</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/22/93-police-officers-injured-113-protesters-arrested-in-violent-september-21-demonstration-0843">READ: 95 cops injured, 216 protesters arrested in violent Sept. 21 demonstrations</a></div><p>The group accused the police of practicing selective justice—targeting and brutalizing ordinary citizens who protest against systemic corruption, while allowing those implicated in major corruption scandals to walk free.</p><p>“Maraming maralita na taga doon mismo ang nadakip, ang natamaan ng tear gas, ng rubber bullet, at nananawagan kami na hindi ‘yun makatarungan dahil ito lamang ay tunay na hinaing ng taong bayan, lalo na ‘yung mga taga-Maynila,“ he said.</p><p>In Manila, tensions escalated as police moved in to disperse protesters near Mendiola, leading to clashes, injuries, and multiple arrests.</p><p>Basuel emphasized that the violent dispersal would only galvanize the youth movement, warning that state repression is feeding deeper public disillusionment with the country’s institutions.</p><p>&quot;Rather than setting their sights on those who have benefitted from the theft of over trillions of pesos in fraudulent infrastructure projects, the PNP have once again fulfilled their mandate to serve and protect elite interests by terrorizing the working class,&quot; Basuel said.</p><p>The group said its continued commitment to fighting what it called the &quot;elite dynastic rule&quot; that enables systematic corruption, vowing to escalate their campaign in the coming weeks.</p><p>Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has warned that the rioters at the largely peaceful anti-corruption rallies in Manila will face charges, calling them &quot;anarchists&quot; who follow the pattern of recent protests in Nepal and Indonesia.</p><p>More than 100 individuals — including minors — had been arrested for engaging in burning vehicles, throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails, as well as ransacking a motel, Remulla said.</p><p>Minors among the mob could face charges, but the social welfare agency &quot;has to be there to assist them first,&quot; the DILG chief said.</p><p>Others may face charges of threat to authority, theft with homicide, and frustrated homicide through the throwing of Molotov cocktails at the police officers, said Remulla.  -- <strong>with a report from Rowegie Abanto, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><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/5eeFlD5e_EQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Youth activists staged a protest at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame on Monday, denouncing what they described as “brutal” police actions during the nationwide anti-corruption demonstrations held on September 21.</p>

Youth activists staged a protest at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame on Monday, denouncing what they described as “brutal” police actions during the nationwide anti-corruption demonstrations held on September 21.

Youth groups condemn police ‘brutality’ in Sept. 21 rallies, demand release of detained protesters

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Youth groups condemn police ‘brutality’ in Sept. 21 rallies, demand release of detained protesters

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 22, 2025 05:27 PM PHT

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