Manila cops disperse anti-US rally; 4 hurt

Some 30 members of the militant group Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD) staged a brief but violent "lightning" rally in front of the United States Embassy along Roxas Boulevard yesterday morning.

The 10-minute rally became bloody when the protesters, armed with paint bombs, clashed with elements of the Western Police District’s crowd control unit armed with shields and truncheons.

Two protesters later identified as Jun Flores, 15; and Patrick Montemayor, 33, were arrested by police and brought to the Ermita Police Station. Police said the two were arrested after they allegedly tossed plastic bags filled with red paint at the gates of the embassy. At least four persons were reported hurt during the dispersal.

Flores and Montemayor sustained contusions, welts and bruises after they were attacked by elements of the police dispersal team. They were charged with disturbance of the peace, a bailable misdemeanor. Also hurt in the rally was GMA-Channel 7 cameraman Bojie Sonza who was caught in the clash between police and the protestors. Sonza’s camera was also slightly damaged.

The rally which started at about 11:00 a.m. expressed opposition to the second phase of the Balikatan war exercises which, according to the protestors, will involve the arrival of more American military troops for joint war exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippine in Central Luzon.

Superintendent Manolo Martinez, Ermita Police Station commander denied allegations that his men exercised unnecessary force in dispersing the rallyists.

"They penetrated the embassy’s perimeter and started throwing red paint at the embassy. Had the rally remained peaceful, we would have allowed them to hold their rally even with their loudspeakers blaring. But we had to prevent the group from vandalizing the embassy and preserve the peace and tranquillity in the area, " Martinez said.

Despite the arrest of two of their members and the violent dispersal of their lightning rally, members of the KPD vowed to continue holding rallies in front of the US Embassy.

"Arrests and dispersal no matter how violent will not deter us from expressing our opposition on the ongoing Balikatan war exercises," said Marie Jo Rosales, KPD media liaison officer. – Mike Frialde