(Eagle News) — Protesters shouting anti-Donald Trump slogans on the sidelines of a major summit in Manila forced themselves against police barriers aimed at preventing them from getting near the venue of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Other Related Meetings, resulting in injuries to at least six policemen and 10 protesters.
National Capital Region Police Office director Oscar Albayalde said the protesters who incited the incident will face the necessary charges, noting that the violence was incited even with police being very patient and going beyond the required maximum tolerance of them.
Former militant lawmaker Teddy Casiño, who joined the rallies, said that the protesters only wanted to get near the Philippine International Convention Center to voice out their grievances.
But authorities noted that the rallies were being held without permits in the first place.
Colorful effigies of the US president, including one with four arms in the shape of a Nazi swastika, were carried through the streets of Manila by the protesters.
A likeness of President Rodrigo Duterte peeked out from behind the figure, as the two leaders readied to sit down for formal talks less than three kilometers (two miles) away.
Protesters also carried placards that read “Trump Go Home” and “Ban Trump #1 terrorist.”
They were met with riot police — some wearing flak jackets and carrying rifles — who fired water cannon and sounded high-pitched alarms as the protesters pushed and shoved.
“They hit us with wooden sticks. One of my colleagues was hit in the face by a rock,” police officer Ramon Dumagat said, his arms covered in reddish welts.
Despite the incident, Albayalde said that the rallyists–numbering around 2000— could stay for as long as they wanted, provided they do not resort to any violence anymore.
“Kung gusto nila forever pa,” he said.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is hosting two separate events on Monday and Tuesday in Manila.
They also include China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as the United States.
The rising threat of the Islamic State group across Southeast Asia, and efforts to pressure North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un to abandon his nuclear ambitions, are top agenda items. (Agence France Presse)
