Bonifacio Day protest: 1 cop hurt, 1 activist arrested in Mendiola

MANILA, Philippines — The group Bayan Muna decried that one of its organizers was arrested, while the Philippine National Police reported one officer was hurt due to tension at a Bonifacio Day protest along Recto Avenue in Manila.

Militant groups marched toward the Mendiola Peace Arch to commemorate the 161st birth anniversary of national hero Andres Bonifacio but were blocked by police.

When protesters attempted to push the officers back, a Bayan Muna organizer “stepped aside and slowly walked toward the arch,” according to the group’s statement on Saturday afternoon.

Bayan Muna identified the organizer as “Ka Nilo,” whom they described to be a 61-year-old from San Jose del Monte, Bulacan who suffered a stroke in September 2023.

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The group said, “Nagngingitngit sa galit ang kapulisan dahil hindi nila napigilan ang lakas ng sambayanang Pilipino.”

(The police are foaming at the mouth in anger because they could not stop the strength of the Filipino people.)

“They were surely humiliated in front of their commander-in-chief. That’s why even if a person is already a senior and just on the sidelines, they still picked on him just so they could have something to show for,” Bayan Muna added in Filipino.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that one officer sustained an eye injury and was rushed to a hospital for treatment.

The police added that other officers suffered minor abrasions due to the commotion and were given first aid on site.

PNP said, “We reaffirm our commitment to upholding every Filipino’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly. However, we cannot and will not tolerate any form of violence that endangers the public or undermines the rule of law.”

“Those responsible for instigating chaos and harming others will be held accountable in accordance with the law,” it added.