Tension gripped a major road in Manila on the first day of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit as militant groups protesting the Philippine visit of US President Donald Trump tried to proceed to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
Some members of the anti-riot police and the protesters sustained minor injuries while one protester reportedly fainted as the rallyists tried to break the police line at the corner of Padre Faura and Taft Avenue in Manila at 10 a.m.
Thousands of protesters belonging to Anakpawis, Bayan, Gabriela, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, and others attempted to overpower the police by pushing them, forcing members of the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) to use water cannons in trying to disperse them.
The militants also brought their own shields to try and outflank the number of police who were blocking their way towards PICC.
Initially, the police thought that the protesters were going to march from Kalaw Avenue to Roxas Boulevard but were surprised when they changed their direction.
The rallyists occupied the whole stretch of Taft Avenue from Padre Faura up to the United Nations Avenue. They later brought in a truck which they used as stage for the continuation of their anti-Trump program. Past 12 noon, they burned the 12-foot effigy of Trump.
Protesters left the place with with a lot of trash consisting mostly of slippers thrown by rallyists at anti-riot cops, wet papers and woods from their placards.
BFP members cleaned the street using fire hoses. The center island and the LRT posts were full of grafitti and handwriting of the protesters.
The anti-riot police left their post after the protesters marched to Liwasang Bonifacio in Lawton.
After the rally, the corner of Padre Faura and Taft Avenue remained closed to all vehicles, and motorists were advised to take alternative routes. (Glendel Nazario)
