MANILA -- Tensions erupted between protesters and police during a demonstration marking International Women’s Day in Manila on Sunday morning, March 8.
Various activist groups were supposed to head toward the U.S. Embassy Manila when the police barricade blocked them along Kalaw Road.
Instead of stopping, the protesters continued marching, which led to commotion.
Several police officers and protesters were knocked to the ground during the confrontation.
The tension briefly eased after both sides agreed to talk, but even during the negotiations, some protesters raised their voices at the police.
“Amerikano ba kayo?! Bakit niyo pinagsisilbihan ang mga Amerikano?!” shouted one of the protesters.
Among those who joined the rally was Rep. Renee Co of Kabataan Partylist.
“Hindi na kami na-surprise dahil gaya nga po ng nangyayari sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng mundo, ang Pilipinas ang nagsisilbing protektor ng Estados Unidos para tuloy-tuloy na makapag-giyera siya sa mga ina-identify niyang enemies,” she said.
The Manila Police District maintained that the area near the U.S. Embassy Manila and major roads in Manila are not designated rally zones.
“Hindi natin maitatatwa ‘yan. Nakunan din naman ng ating mga kaibigang mamamahayag kung sinong nag-umpisa. Patuloy po nating nirerespeto ang karapatan ng bawat isa pero patuloy nating pinapaalala sa kanila na ang karapatan po at kalayaan ay laging may kaakibat na responsibilidad,” said P/Maj. Philipp Ines.
The protest was led by the women’s group Gabriela.
Among the issues raised by the groups was their opposition to the United States and Israel over attacks on Iran.
They also pushed for women’s rights as part of the commemoration of International Women’s Day.
“Naniniwala ang mga kabataang kababaihan na kaisa ang kababaihang Pilipino sa laban ng kababaihan sa buong daigdig sa pagkilala na ang U.S., ang Israel, at si Marcos ay may malaking krimen sa sangkatauhan,” said Fran Reyes, spokesperson of Gabriela Youth.
Meanwhile, Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers Partylist stressed the importance of protecting women’s rights.
“Kailangan maipaliwanag sa publiko ang kahalagahan ng pagrespeto sa karapatan ng kababaihan at pagpapanagot sa mga lalaki na sa tingin nila ay pwedeng bastusin publicly ang mga kababaihan,” he said.
Since the protesters were unable to reach the front of the U.S. Embassy Manila, they continued their program in the middle of Kalaw Road.
At the end of the protest, the demonstrators burned images of US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., whom they described as enemies of peace.