MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it has filed complaints against several protesters following a chaotic Bonifacio Day rally at Mendiola, Manila over the weekend.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said a labor group leader and several others were charged with violating the Public Assembly Act of 1985 (Batasang Pambansa 880), as well as direct assault and disobedience of persons in authority. The case was filed before the Manila City prosecutor’s office on Sunday.

Man arrested, 47 injured after tensions flare at Bonifacio Day protest

Fajardo said that at least eight police personnel were injured, including one who sustained an eye injury, when militant groups breached the police barriers, resulting in chaos.

“Pinagsasaktan po ‘yong ang ating mga pulis while they are engaged in the lawful exercise of their function as police officers,” Fajardo said. “Hindi po tayo papayag na hindi po mapanagot itong mga sala po dito sa insidente po na ito.”

(They are hurting our police officers while they are engaged in the lawful exercise of their function as police officers. We will not allow those responsible for this incident to go unpunished.)

“Maliban po sa pananakit sa mga pulis natin ay ninakaw pa po ‘yong isang body-worn camera ng pulis natin at hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa po natin nare-recover,” she continued. 

(In addition to the assault on our police officers, one of our officers’ body-worn cameras was stolen, and it has not yet been recovered.) 

Fajardo also emphasized that Mendiola is a no-rally zone.

Meanwhile, labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said approximately 40 protesters were injured during the incident.

Police arrested one individual who allegedly instigated the violence, while the KMU leader remains at large.

The police are still working to establish the identity of other individuals involved in the incident.

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