When rioters stole safe, belongings from Recto hotel
MANILA, Philippines — The earnings of a popular motel and the belongings of its employees were stolen Sunday, September 21, during riots in Mendiola and Recto that followed anti-corruption protests.
Lorenzo Junio, officer-in-charge of the building where the motel is located, said the establishment lost a steel safe, cash, licenses, and employees’ personal items.
“Pagkatapos po binasag, pinasok, tas kinuha po mga importanteng bagay… cellphone, pera po… yun kinita ng (hotel) kinuha po lahat,” he said. ("After they broke in and took important stuff... cellphone and cash...what the hotel earned, they took all of them.")
Junio added that the total amount stolen has yet to be determined.
Conflicting accounts on gunfire. The rioters stormed the motel after claims that a policeman shot an individual and ran inside.
A video on X (formerly Twitter) showed a man in a gray hoodie entering the motel with a handgun.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, however, denied that officers fired at rioters.
Possible gang link cited. “No firearms were discharged,” he said in an ANC interview. “The most we did was fire a smoke grenade as a warning bago sumugod ang mga police.” ("The most we did was fire a smoke grenade as a warning before the police charged.")
Manila Police District spokesperson Police Major Philipe Ines said 216 people had been arrested over the riots.
He added that a “hip-hop” gang, possibly inspired by a rapper, may have sparked the violence, though he did not name the artist.
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