15 cops hurt as clash erupts on Commonwealth Avenue

Photo by Jamie Marie Elona/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Fifteen policemen were injured as tensions between police and militants ensued near Ever Gotesco in Commonwealth Avenue before noon Monday, hours before President Benigno Aquino III was set to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address.

Militants destroyed the metal barricade between east and west bound lanes near Ever Gotesco in Commonwealth as they tried to get closer to Batasan Complex.

The incident caused both lanes to close temporarily which stalled traffic.

“Sobra yung tolerance ng ating kapulisan. Nagpapabugbog ang kapulisan,” Quezon City Police District chief Senior Superintendent Richard Albano told reporters.

The original Sona traffic plan was implemented back at about 1p.m.

Police, container vans and fire trucks blocked both lanes to prevent protesters from getting nearer.

Albano said the police have already taken control of the situation.

The police officer estimated a crowd of 5,000 along Commonwealth by noon and added it was still expected to increase.

In connection with this commotion, at least eight persons were arrested by the police.

Four of the them are students from the University of the Philippines Diliman, and was now detained at Camp Karingal, the Philippine Collegian said in its Twitter account.

The Philippine Collegian identified the arrested students as Kiel Munoz (AIT), Ramdas Krisnaji Israel (CS), Hussein Myron Paule (CSWCD) and Joevie Dela Cruz (Eng’g).

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https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/449941/protesters-try-to-occupy-commonwealth-avenue-northbound-lane