MANILA, Philippines — Two students were arrested during a “lightning protest” in front of the United States embassy along Roxas Boulevard in Manila before dawn yesterday.
Joanne Pagkaliwangan, 23, and John Gabriel Matibay, 22, were reportedly caught throwing paint at the embassy’s emblem by officers of the J. Bocobo police community precinct.
Youth groups gathered in front of the embassy to protest the Balikatan exercises between Filipino and US soldiers, which began yesterday.
The two students are being held at the Manila Police District Station 5 on charges of vandalism and violating Republic Act 880 or the Public Assembly Act of 1985.
The University of the Philippines’ College of Mass Communication called for the release of Magtibay, a film student.
In a statement, the League of Filipino Students said the protesters “were peacefully leaving the area when a police mobile suddenly charged into them, causing panic among the protesters. Police officers violently tackled and arrested the (two) individuals amid the commotion, which led to bruises and other injuries.” – Janvic Mateo