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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gibo slams militant groups over violent Mendiola protest

Gibo slams militant groups over violent Mendiola protest

Published Sep 22, 2025 04:21 pm
Families of protesters wait outside the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters on UN Avenue, Manila, on September 22, 2025, for updates on those arrested during the September 21 anti-corruption protests at Ayala Bridge and Mendiola. (John Louie Abrina | MANILA BULLETIN)
Families of protesters wait outside the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters on UN Avenue, Manila, on September 22, 2025, for updates on those arrested during the September 21 anti-corruption protests at Ayala Bridge and Mendiola. (John Louie Abrina | MANILA BULLETIN)
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. criticized militant groups involved in the Mendiola protest that turned violent on Sunday, Sept. 21, saying they cannot be trusted to act responsibly within the country’s democratic systems.
Teodoro’s remarks came after Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) condemned what it described as the “violent response” of the police against young protesters during the rally near Malacañang.
The group claimed authorities used excessive force to disperse demonstrators who were pressing for accountability in alleged corruption-tainted flood control projects.
The defense chief, however, countered that the incident only proved the dangers of allowing such organizations to exploit democratic freedoms.
“This shows that these groups cannot be trusted to be responsible participants in our democratic system,” Teodoro said. “We should unite in condemning and opposing these groups as vehemently as we oppose the Chinese Communist Party.”
The Mendiola protest, part of a series of nationwide demonstrations against corruption in infrastructure projects, left dozens injured after scuffles broke out between protesters and police forces.
Authorities said they exercised “maximum tolerance” but were forced to act when demonstrators attempted to breach police lines.
Malacañan assured that those injured in the dispersal are covered by the Department of Health’s zero balance billing program, per the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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