Sabotage at Labor Day rally? PNP says videos show who started violence

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday rejected claims that police operatives infiltrated Labor Day protesters to sabotage their rally, saying “videos show who really started the violence.”

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño made the statement in response to Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Chairperson Jerome Adonis’ allegation that “civilian police intel” had infiltrated demonstrators during the May 1 rally in Manila.

READ: MPD filing raps vs KMU head over violence at Labor Day rally

The Manila Police District (MPD) previously said it would file charges against Adonis and several protesters over the violent incidents during their Labor Day rally, particularly the burning of an effigy, which it said may violate Batas Pambansa No. 880 or the Public Assembly Act.

Adonis earlier said, “The PNP cries easily and is quick to be irritated… Some of them who were civilian police intel even entered our ranks to cause trouble and sabotage our rally.”

Reacting to this, Tuaño said in Filipino, “The Philippine National Police respects the opinion of every citizen.”

Tuaño also said the MPD was already preparing to file cases against Adonis and the protesters.

“So far, the Manila Police District has only prepared the affidavits of the injured police officers,” he said in Filipino.

“But because their physical presence is required for the oath-taking of their affidavits before the prosecutor’s office, this has been put on hold pending their medical clearance,” he added.

KMU and several other sectoral groups held a rally in Manila last Friday to mark Labor Day, condemning President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for alleged inaction on wage increases and the rising cost of basic goods.

The protesters were marching toward the United States Embassy to continue their program and call for an end to what they described as the country’s “war on Iran,” but they were blocked by a police barricade along Kalaw Avenue.

The blockade led to a scuffle that injured at least nine police officers, as well as an incident in which a protester allegedly punched a patrolman in the head and snatched a smartphone from another officer, according to the MPD. /mcm