Cops block activists heading toward US Embassy in Manila

Tension gripped a section of the United Nations Avenue on Saturday afternoon after elements from the Manila Police District stopped a group of activists that were set to stage a protest action in front of the US Embassy.

Protesters began to march toward the US Embassy area when cops blocked their path at the corner of U.N. Avenue and M.H. Del Pilar Street, according to a report by Jhomer Apresto on Super Radyo DZBB.

DETALYE: Ilang militanteng grupo na magsasagawa sana ng kilos-protesta sa @USEmbassyPH, hinarang ng mga tauhan ng Manila Police District (MPD) sa kanto ng U.N. Avenue at Del Pilar St. sa lungsod ng Maynila. | via @jhomer_apresto pic.twitter.com/jgMwbUyZ2b

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 21, 2022

A commotion occurred, resulting in jostling and shoving between the cops and the activists, which ended up in the apprehension of some protesters, including a man who claimed to be a student.

WATCH: Ilang militanteng grupo na magsasagawa sana ng kilos-protesta sa @USEmbassyPH, hinarang ng mga tauhan ng Manila Police District (MPD) sa kanto ng U.N. Avenue at Del Pilar St. sa lungsod ng Maynila. | via @jhomer_apresto pic.twitter.com/KLTNea1NgO

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 21, 2022

According to the MPD, the protesters failed to present a rally permit from the Manila local government unit, as well as their IDs.

"We condemn the violent dispersal of activists at the US Embassy in Manila today. The protest was in time for US President Joe Biden’s visit to South Korea and Japan. The US is again seeking to fortify its foothold in the region through various security arrangements, military exercises and military aid," the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said in a statement.

"It is for this reason that Biden was quick to congratulate Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. despite the massive fraud, disinformation and vote-buying that marked the 2022 elections," the militant group said.

Bayan said that the police had no cause to disperse a peaceful protest even without a permit as well as to detain people. It identified the detained student as a campus journalist from UP Manila. —LBG/VBL, GMA News