BAYAN denies link to persons behind Mendiola commotion

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) president Renato Reyes said the groups behind the commotion in Mendiola were not affiliated with BAYAN and the progressive groups that on Sunday in Manila held anti-corruption rallies in the wake of the misuse of billions of pesos meant for flood control projects.

Reyes issued the statement after scores were injured and more than 10 minors were arrested after masked youths in black hurled stones and reportedly even Molotov cocktails at anti-riot policemen at the Ayala and Mendiola areas near Malacañang.

The BAYAN leader said he was himself hurt.

"Currently at the ER, bloodied after being hit by a rock in Mendiola. The Bayan program had ended, we were already leaving via organized dispersal when a commotion broke out in Mendiola. Stones were being thrown, and I got hit in the face," Reyes said.

"The people who stayed in Mendiola were angry, years of pent-up anger. We don’t know who the groups were. They’re not affiliated with BAYAN. But we could sense their anger. And even after we ended the program, they stayed on," he added.

"They could be provocateurs, or they could just be really angry at what is happening. At the end of this day, the government cannot ignore the problem of corruption and give so-so responses. Kumukulo ang galit ng tao. Huwag maliitin ng gobyerno," Reyes said.

I’m fine. Maga lang mukha pero makakapag martsa pa rin.