Manila Mayor Applauds Police Restraint Amid Protest Clashes; No Fatalities Reported

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has praised the Philippine National Police (PNP) for exercising "maximum tolerance" during the violent demonstrations near Malacañang Palace on Sunday, assuring that no fatalities were recorded in the incident.

Speaking on DZRH, Moreno acknowledged the heavy toll on law enforcement, noting that numerous police officers sustained injuries, with one nearly in critical condition. He said, "The cost was that many of our police were injured. One of them was nearly in critical condition. We checked hospitals and funeral homes and found no fatalities."

The protests erupted on 21 September as demonstrators marched toward Mendiola demanding accountability for alleged "ghost" projects and substandard flood control efforts. The situation escalated when protesters threw rocks and Molotov cocktails, and a container van was set ablaze. In response, police utilized water cannons to disperse the crowd.

Despite the violence at Malacañang, larger rallies at Luneta and EDSA remained predominantly peaceful.

More than 100 individuals were apprehended by the Manila Police District (MPD). According to Moreno, all detainees will face criminal charges, including arson and damage to both public and private properties, with investigations ongoing. He stated, "Those arrested number more than 100 by the MPD. All of them will be charged with arson, damage to public and private property. All are currently under investigation."