Activist group slams 'violent dispersal of peaceful demonstration'

MANILA, Philippines —  An activist group has slammed the "violent dispersal" of rallyists protesting the ASEAN Summit and the visit of US President Donald Trump to Manila.

Ed Tadem, convenor of the ASEAN Civil Society Conference, said in a statement: “We condemn the violent dispersal of a peaceful demonstration by people’s organizations and social movements against the ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit as represented by heads of states and governments that have imposed on the peoples of Southeast Asia a development model that has increased social inequalities and violated the human rights of the people.”

The group, despite its name, is not affiliated with the regional bloc that is holding a summit until Tuesday, November 14.

Police Director Oscar Albayalde, NCR Police Office Chief, earlier reminded police to "maintain maximum tolerance" with protesters.

Police estimate the number of rallyists at around 1,500.

Members of progressive groups affiliated with Bagong Alyansang Makabayan intended to go to the Philippine International Convention Center where high-level meetings among global leaders are happening.

Water cannons were used by the cops against the rallyists at around 10:30 a.m. By then, some of the protesters had spray-painted graffiti on some police riot shields.

The groups also burned a "fascist spinner" effigy of Trump featuring Trump's likeness and the Nazi swastika.

According to Bayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes, 56 activists sustained injuries, four of whom were seriously harmed, in scuffles with the police.

Albayalde, for his part, said that six police officers were injured in the protests. 

The NCR police chief, in a message to Philstar.com, said a photograph of a rallyist kicking a police shield at a rally on Sunday showed the protests were at times violent.

"Is this what you call a peaceful rally?" Albayalde said.

Chief Superintendent Noel Baraceros, operations officer of the ASEAN Security Task Force, said in a separate press conference on Monday morning that the authorities "abide by our existing police operational procedures."

He however said that: "'Pag meron nang (If there are) very offensive acts coming from the protestors, we really need to do something."