Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA— The Manila Police District (MPD) confirmed Monday that a 35-year-old construction worker was fatally struck by a stray bullet during the violent protest in Recto, Manila on September 21.</p><div><br/></div><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;text-align:center"><iframe id="twitter-widget-3" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:550px;height:648px;display:block;flex-grow:1" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-3&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1972593335153090645&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring&amp;sessionId=a5c1327c44f69eacfa9b0082f0556ec2a97c86d8&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" data-tweet-id="1972593335153090645"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><div><br/></div><p>The victim, identified as Eric Saber, was reportedly on his way home from work when he was hit in the neck by a stray bullet amid the chaos between police and rallyists.</p><p>“Merong tayong isang indibidwal na may tama siya. Nadala ito ng ospital. 35 years old na isang construction worker na taga-Tondo, Manila,” MPD spokesperson Police Major Philipp Ines told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>According to Eric&#x27;s brother, Eduardo Saber, the victim had no involvement in the protest.</p><p>“Naglalakad lang ‘yung kapatid ko, bigla na lamang po siyang tumumba. Lumapag po ‘yung mukha niya sa semento kaya po may pasa ‘yung mukha niya, gawa ng pagkakatama ng baril sa leeg niya,” Eduardo said. </p><p>Eric was rushed to the hospital and fought for his life for two days before succumbing to his injuries.</p><p>“Saan po nanggaling ‘yung bala? Saan po nanggaling ‘yung putok? Ano po ‘yun? Bigla na lang pong tumumba ‘yung kapatid ko? Humihingi po kami ng hustisya, para lang kay Eric,” Eduardo added.</p><p>Their sister, Esperanza Carlos, echoed the family’s grief: “Dumaan lang eh. Hindi naman siya kasali sa rally. Masakit na masakit. Kasi sino naman po kahit mawala ng pamilya.”</p><p>The MPD confirmed Saber’s death as among the casualties of the chaotic protests, which also saw the death of a teenage boy who was fatally stabbed during the unrest.</p><p>However, Ines strongly denied that the stray bullet came from police ranks.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/25/protesters-demand-release-of-minors-arrested-after-manila-rally-1628">Protesters demand release of minors arrested after Manila rally</a></div><p>“Nagco-conduct na tayo ng investigation doon. May mga nakuha na rin tayong statement. Ang problema, ‘yung CCTV doon sa lugar, wala tayo mai-produce kasi sinira nitong mga grupo dito sa may nanggulo dito sa may area ng Recto.”</p><p>When pressed whether the gunfire came from police: “Wala tayong ganun. Kaya nga sabi natin, kung hindi pa lumutang ‘yung mismong nakasaksak sa menor de edad, sa amin din ibinibintang.”</p><p>Meanwhile, human rights group Karapatan condemned what they described as “violent and excessive arrests” during the dispersal. </p><p>According to the group, several youth and persons with disabilities (PWDs) who were among those detained allegedly experienced abuse.</p><p>“Bnatuta sila, pinukpok sila sa ulo, sinuntok. ‘Yung mga ibang minors testified na inutusan sila na saktan ‘yung isa&#x27;t isa,” said Atty. Maria Sol Taule, Karapatan’s Deputy Secretary General.</p><p>Taule also claimed some were forced to sign affidavits or statements without legal counsel or family present.</p><p>The PNP has earlier <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/29/pnp-denies-torture-abuse-of-detainees-from-sept-21-protests-1507">denied </a>the allegations and reiterated its stance that it &quot;does not tolerate torture, physical abuse, or extortion.</p><p>As of Monday, 113 individuals remain in police custody, while several have posted bail. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/23/192-suspects-face-charges-after-manila-protest-riot-2011">192 suspects face charges after Manila protest riot</a></div><p>All arrested minors have since been turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/28/wrap-dozens-still-in-detention-a-week-since-massive-anti-corruption-protests-2100">WRAP: Dozens still in detention a week since massive anti-corruption protests</a></div><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/btpX-v-3-aQ?si=2M2BBUsKxJQcaOur" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The Manila Police District (MPD) confirmed Monday that a 35-year-old construction worker was fatally struck by a stray bullet during the violent protest in Recto, Manila on September 21.</p>

The Manila Police District (MPD) confirmed Monday that a 35-year-old construction worker was fatally struck by a stray bullet during the violent protest in Recto, Manila on September 21.

Man shot dead during Manila protest riot; police say investigation underway

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Man shot dead during Manila protest riot; police say investigation underway

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 29, 2025 07:12 PM PHT

Read More:

PNP

MPD

wake

Eric Saber

stray bullet

crime

protest

September 21

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