Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Members of different labor groups join a protest march along Recto Avenue heading Mendiola in Manila on May 1, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

LABOR DAY PROTEST- 2025

Allison Co

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — As Labor Day protests were held along Kalaw Avenue in Manila, tensions escalated as shoving and crowding broke out between protesters and police personnel towards the end of the program on Friday, May 1.According to the Manila Police District, the commotion began when a rallyist allegedly snatched the cellphone of an undercover officer.“Yung pulis po natin nandito, peacefully nag-document, hinablot po. So ganyan po ba ang malayang pamamahayag may kasamang pagnanakaw? At galit po tayo sa pagnanakaw, tayo rin mismo nagnanakaw,“ MPD Ground Commander P/Lt. Col. June Abrazado asked the rallyists.This, as the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday condemned the alleged assault by some protesters against police officers during the Labor Day rally.PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said a total of five police personnel were reported injured, sustaining abrasions and hematoma. Two of them remain confined at a hospital.One policeman sustained head and wrist injuries after he was allegedly punched on the head by an individual during a commotion along Kalaw Avenue.“Ginagampanan lang nila ang kanilang tungkulin,” Tuaño told reporters during a media briefing at Camp Crame.“Ang lahat ng uri ng karahasan maging sa sino man, ito ay hindi katanggap-tanggap.”The official added that the PNP will investigate the incident, including the alleged theft of mobile phones belonging to some police officers that were being used to document the events, and will hold those proven involved accountable in accordance with existing laws.“Tinitingnan po ng Manila Police District ang posibleng ikaso sa mga nanakit sapagkat sa tindi po ng injury na sinapit ng isang pulis, siya po ay nag-undergo ng X-ray at CT scan.”According to Tuaño, those who attacked the police officers have already been identified and will be subjected to police operations.Kilusang Mayo Uno Vice Chair Lito Luces, however, denied the police allegations and said the authorities instigated the violence.“Hindi kami ang unang-unang nanggulo. Unang-unang dating pa lang namin. Wala kaming ginawa kundi mag-insert lang ng tulakan. Pero yung sinasabing nila na nuntok, wala kaming sinusuntok…Sila ang pangunahing nagugulo sa aming araw na ito ng mga manggagawa,” he said.Luces added that although they were unable to reach the US Embassy, their protest remained successful in amplifying their call to end the US-Iran war and to fight for labor rights.According to authorities, around 3,000 rallyists gathered along Kalaw Avenue to join the protest.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/1/protesters-demand-wage-hike-cheaper-commodities-on-labor-day-0917">Massive Labor Day protest demands wage hike, relief from soaring prices</a></div>Beyond labor rights, youth groups also called for justice for the 19 individuals killed in the AFP encounter in Toboso, Negros Occidental. Transport groups likewise urged the removal of the excise tax on fuel products.MPD Director P/ Brig. Gen. Arnold Santiago said that the rallies in Manila remained generally peaceful, with police deployment sufficient for the number of rallyists who participated.“Peaceful po. Isa ito sa very peaceful na pagdiriwang ng Labor Day po dito sa ating bansa,” Santiago added.

As Labor Day protests were held along Kalaw Avenue in Manila, tensions escalated as shoving and crowding broke out between rallyists and police personnel towards the end of the program on Friday, May 1.

As Labor Day protests were held along Kalaw Avenue in Manila, tensions escalated as shoving and crowding broke out between rallyists and police personnel towards the end of the program on Friday, May 1.

Violence, cellphone snatching spark tension at Manila Labor Day rally

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Violence, cellphone snatching spark tension at Manila Labor Day rally

Allison Co,

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 01, 2026 04:22 PM PHT

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Updated May 01, 2026 05:59 PM PHT

Read More:

Mayo Uno

Labor Day

Kalaw Avenue

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