MANILA -- What supposed to be a protest against corruption turned into an uproar along Recto Avenue in Manila when a group, allegedly composed of of teenagers, ran riot and attacked several establishments in the area.
Dennis Datu of ABS-CBN News reported that the group, believed to part of protesters that assembled in Liwasang Bonifacio, figured in a confrontation with policemen, hurling stones and objects, including human waste, while setting fires in the middle of the street.
The group later upped the ante by ransacking a Sogo Hotel Branch along Recto.
"Kanina sa may tapat ng FEU sa may Morayta, Nicanor Reyes Street, winasak at tinumba yung mga railings sa center island. May pagsunog sa gitna ng kalsada. Nagkalat ng bato at bote sa kahabaan ng Recto Avenue," narrated Datu.
"Nahirapan lumapit ang pulis dahil lumalaban itong mga kabataan na maya't maya ay nambabato ng malalaking bato, may bote na may lamang pumuputok, may mga dumi ng tao, kahoy at bakal."
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Datu said the "protesters" would sometimes retreat and regroup near Isettan Recto before launching another wave of attack.
He spotted some of the protesters earlier at the Liwasang Bonifacio.
"Ang hirap sabihin, pero ito yung nakita naming sa Liwasang Bonifacio. Kanina mag-aalas kwatro ng hapon 'yung organizer sumisigaw ng 'laban kung laban at handa silang magbuwis ng buhay.' Target nila talaga ay Mendiola pero naharang sila sa may Nicanor Reyes sa kanto ng Recto," said Datu.
SOGO HOTEL
Datu and his cameraman later visited the Sogo Hotel in the area, showing the damage inflicted by the rioters.
Aside from wrecking the lobby, the rioters also looted a number of items from inside the establishment.
"Wasak na wasak talaga ang loob ng Sogo Hotel na pwersahang pinasok ng nagrarally kanina. Itong kabilang tindahan may mga damage din. Ang mga gamit ubos," said Datu.
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Honrado Amador, a hotel employee, said the attackers took their wallet, their money and other items.
"Nagpasukan yung mga tao. Marami sila sobra... May isa daw nasaktan tinamaan bato. Marami pong kinuha, pera, wallet, cellphone lisensya namin. Malaking halaga po. Parang magnanakaw na rin," he said.
"Meron pong mga pulis na dumating, kaso basag na po lahat... yung guest naman nagstay sa itaas."
Datu said policemen were armed with guns but would not fire at the rioters, exercising maximum tolerance.
He said the riot is expected to continue as of posting time as most of the attackers remained near the area.
"Mahigit 50 pa itong nakikita namin," said Datu. "Mukhang malayo na ito sa protesta sa korapsyon."
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