Authorities arrest youth protesters who set fire to 40-foot container trailer trucks along with two motorcycles parked near the protest site at the foot of Ayala Bridge, as they attempt to cross a police barricade leading to Mendiola during the anti-corruption protest on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Mores Heramis, ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- Police said that a number of protesters who trooped to Mendiola on Sunday threw Molotov bombs and stones during a confrontation with cops who were guarding the pathway to Malacañang Palace.
The scuffle left 39 policemen hurt and led to the arrest of 17 protesters.
Police Maj. Hazel Asilo, spokesman of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said they are still investigating which group the protesters belong.
"Sa ngayon ay inaalam natin kung ano pong grupo ito, kung sila ay mga pro, anti o sila po ba'y mga youth na walang direktang kaugnayan sa ating administrayion," she said. "Ngayon inaalam based sa mga naaresto atin, inaalam natin kung kagrupo nila."
Asilo confirmed there were explosions in Mendiola due to the Molotov bombs.
"May mga pagsabog dito mula po ito sa mga inihagis nila na parang motov po kung saan base sa aming pagkakaalam kasama po ang ating mga naaresto sa ang nagtapon nitong mga Molotov," she said, adding that some of those arrested are minors.
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"May mga menor de edad na nakuha natin. Magdedepende po sa DSWD, i-veverify kung mayroon po silang discernment sa ginagawa nila. (Kakasuhan sila) kung meron silang nasirang mga kagamitan, destruction of property, ganun din po p'wede silang kasuhan kung may mga nasaktan sila at assault po sa mga kapulisan natin."
Asilo said that the situation has already been managed by policemen.
She also confirmed that the container van at the Ayala Bridge that was burned by protesters were put in place by authorities to hold off the demonstrators.
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"'Yung trailer truck nilagay po po nang makita natin na nagmu-move na ng grupo na nambato. Inilagay lang po iyan para ipansangga, dahil yung tao natin hindi ganoong karami compared sa grupo na pupunta. Para may reiforcement bago dumating ang mga dagdag pulis natin," she said.
Thirty-nine policemen were wounded during the violent confrontation, she said. According to a social media post from Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, the policemen were rushed to the Ospital ng Sampaloc for treatment.
"Dalawa ay nasa ospital pa mula sa 39 na nasugatan, the rest po ay nag-join na po sila sa atin," said Asilo.
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