PNP looking into violent dispersal outside US Embassy

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has instructed the National Capital Region Police Office to conduct an investigation that will determine the liabilities of all parties involved in the violent dispersal of protesters at the US Embassy in Manila.

"The PNP is now piecing together all facts and circumstances between members of the Manila Police district and a group of militant activists in Ermita, Manila this morning," the PNP said in a statement.

The PNP assured the public that the criminal and civil liabilities of all personalities from both sides involved in the violent incident will be identified.

All injured parties, from both the militant activists and police, were given proper medical attention, the statement read.

"It is unfortunate that some persons were reported hurt in the confrontation that allegedly began when the much bigger group of militant activists broke into the smaller defensive formation of the MPD (Manila Police District) Civil Disturbance Management contingent that stood its ground to prevent an escalation of violence," the PNP said.

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo has called on the MPD to immediately release the arrested protesters.

At least 29 members of indigenous peoples groups, including two Lumad minors, two girls aged 15 and 14, were arrested during the rally outside the US Embassy in Manila.

"The Manila Police should respect the rights of the members of national minorities they arrested during the rally at the US embassy," Taguiwalo said in her Twitter account.