6 arrested as cops, protestors clash near US Embassy on Labor Day

Six people were arrested on Wednesday, Labor Day, after members of labor groups and other militant organizations clashed with police authorities in an attempt to protest before the United States (US) Embassy in the Philippines.

The participating groups were marking the day with a call for wage hike.

FLASH REPORT: Mga militante na nais makarating sa U.S. Embassy, nakipaggirian sa mga pulis sa Kalaw Avenue sa Maynila. | via @VargasMannysen pic.twitter.com/o6Zkn4YK2s

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 1, 2024

According to Manny Vargas’ report on Super Radyo dzBB, those arrested -- five male and one female -- were brought to a hospital first to check on their condition before bringing them to a police station. 

A separate report said the protestors destroyed the police barricade on one side of Kalaw Avenue, allowing some of them to slip past the police.

While this was happening, other protestors marched with their effigy to the US Embassy on another side of the avenue.

Mga militante, nasa bahagi ng Museong Pambata nagproprograma matapos makalusot sa Manila Police District (MPD). | via @VargasMannysen pic.twitter.com/QjtNf7dg5F

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 1, 2024

According to Vargas’ report, a chase then occurred between the protestors and the police authorities. Due to this, traffic along Roxas Boulevard temporarily stopped.

Meanwhile, the protestors moved to the area near Museong Pambata, which is also near the US Embassy.

Officials of the Manila Police District had also ordered their officers to bring handcuffs should any more rallyists attempt to go near the embassy.

According to Bayan president Renato Reyes, aside from labor issues the groups were also protesting US intervention and war provocations. 

“The groups are also standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people against genocide,” he said in a message to GMA News Online. 

“On the economic front, the groups are conscious of how the US has stunted the Philippines’ economic growth through its neoliberal policies. this framework is responsible for low wages and general underdevelopment,” he added.

In a statement, labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) called for the release of the detained activists as well as an independent investigation on the police’s alleged failure to exercise maximum tolerance.

According to the KMU, the police first blocked ånd clashed with the protestors near Del Pilar street, then at the corner of Roxas Boulevard, and then in front of Museo Pambata.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a review of the minimum wage rates in every region, saying the wage should be in consideration with the effects of inflation. —Joahna Lei Casilao/KBK, GMA Integrated News