COPS ARREST 6 PROTESTERS ON LABOR DAY

POLICE on Wednesday arrested six people after members of labor groups and other militant organizations attempted to hold protest before the United States Embassy in Manila.

The five composed of five males and a female were brought to the hospital before they were turned over to the police station.

Prior to the arrest, a group of protestors destroyed the police barricade on one side of Kalaw Avenue, allowing some of them to slip past the police.

The other protestors marched with their effigy to the US Embassy on another side of the avenue.

Police chased the group of protesters who tried to go near the US Embassy until they clashed.

Bayan president Renato Reyes said that aside from labor issues, they were also protesting US intervention and war provocations. 

In a statement, labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) called for the release of the detained activists as well as the conduct of an independent investigation into the incident.

Meanwhile, Manila Police District spokesman Maj. Philipp Ines said the six protesters were arrested for vandalizing a police truck, writing “Terorista!” and “Mamamatay-tao!” using red and black spray paint.

Police said the arrested protesters would be charged for vandalism, as well as violation of the Public Assembly Act of 1985 or Presidential Decree 880, resistance to persons in authority and alarm and scandal under Articles 151 and 155 of the Revised Penal Code.