Gov’t hits violence in Manila protests, vows to go after ‘anarchists’

UNDER SIEGE. The anti-riot unit of the Manila Police District uses shields during a rowdy protest at the approach of Ayala Bridge in Manila on Sunday (Sept. 21, 2025). The police arrested an initial 17 suspects. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Malacañang condemned the violence that marred Sunday’s mass protests in Manila, vowing to hold accountable masked agitators it branded as “anarchists” who hijacked what began as a peaceful demonstration against corruption.

“Peaceful rally, nasamahan ng iilang nais manggulo. Mananagot ang lahat, iyan ang nais ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa lahat ng sinumang gumamit ng karahasan sa naganap na peaceful rally noong Linggo (It was a peaceful rally, disrupted by a few who wanted trouble. Everyone will be held accountable —that is what President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants for all who used violence during the peaceful rally last Sunday),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

Castro said President Marcos respected the people’s right to assemble and express anger over irregularities in flood control projects, but warned against groups bent on sowing disorder.

“Team Itim kung maituturing, hindi sila raliyista na may lehitimong adhikain laban sa korapsiyon kung hindi gumawa lang ng karahasan, magnakaw, manunog at manira (They can be called Team Black —not rallyists with a legitimate cause against corruption but only out to commit violence, steal, burn, and destroy),” Castro said.

“Hindi kayo makakalagpas sa kamay ng batas… Hustisya ang uusig sa inyo (You will not escape the hand of the law… Justice will go after you).”

The unrest erupted at Ayala Bridge, where demonstrators hurled rocks and bottles, set tires ablaze, and torched a police motorcycle after overturning it.

Violence later spread to Mendiola, where protesters clashed with anti-riot police.

PBBM monitored demonstrations

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who rushed to Mendiola at the height of the confrontation, said Marcos was personally monitoring developments and ordered restraint.

“The President’s directive, very explicitly stated that the PNP shall act with maximum tolerance and with maximum tolerance, they only had their right gear and no firearms,” Remulla said.

The Interior chief branded the agitators as “anarchists” who instigated scuffles that forced police to make arrests.

PNP acting Chief Gen. Melencio Nartatez reported that the nationwide demonstrations drew about 84,000 participants in 130 sites, 16 of them in Metro Manila.

He said the protests turned “generally peaceful” aside from the violent “isolated incidents” at Ayala Bridge and Mendiola, both near Malacañang.

While condemning the violence, the Palace said Marcos remains committed to addressing the root cause of public anger.

“Kaisa ng taumbayan si President Marcos Jr.

laban sa korapsiyon. Ang Pangulo mismo ang nagpasimula upang maimbestigahan ang maanomalyang flood control projects (President Marcos Jr. is one with the people against corruption. It was the President himself who initiated the investigation into anomalous flood control projects),” Castro said.