Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso could not hide his dismay over the acts of vandalism committed by progressive youth groups during their protests marking International Women's Day on March 8.

Speaking before city government personnel and officials on Monday, March 9, Domagoso aired his disappointment over the current situation in several parts of Manila, particularly the Lagusnilad Underpass that was left riddled with spray-painted slogans calling for the end of corruption in the Philippines, the ousting of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, and even urging the public to join the New People's Army (NPA).

"Dumaan ho kayo sa Lagusnilad: punong puno ng kadugyutan ng mga so-called na ipinaglalaban tayo. Sila daw, 'yung mga rallyista na 'yun, ipinaglalaban kayo kaya habang ipinaglalaban kayo, okay lang na dumihan nila ang kapaligiran ng Maynila. Maybe that's the way they justify it (Go to Lagusnilad: it's full of the filth of the so-called people who are fighting for us. Those rallyists say that they are fighting for you—so while they are fighting for you, then it's okay for them to pollute the environment of Manila as their way of justifying it)," Domagoso angrily said.

"Tignan ninyo, babuy na babuy ang Lagusnilad. Mano ba, sila daw ay nakikipaglaban sa korapsyon, nakikipaglaban sa kawaldasan, andaming nilalaban. Ako as Pilipino, hindi mayor ah, hindi ko sila inauthorize na ipaglaban ako, ewan ko kung inauthorize ninyo silang ipaglaban kayo. Ano 'yan eh self-appointed sa mga sarili nila (Look at what they have done in Lagusnilad—they made it like a pigsty full of filth. They kept on saying that they are fighting against corruption, against the wasting of public funds, and so many more. Me as a Filipino, not as a mayor, never authorized them to fight for me, but I don't know—maybe you authorized them to fight for you. They just self-appointed themselves)," he added, noting that defacing public infrastructure shows disregard for the city and its residents.

The mayor immediately ordered a cleanup operation in Lagusnilad to get rid of the spray-painted slogans, lamenting that its cleanup and repainting will again require valuable public funds that should instead be used for programs and services for Manileños.

"I pity the parents of those young individuals. Malungkot para sa isang magulang na lumaki 'yung anak mong talipandas. Makita lang ngala-ngala nila sa kalsada, masaya na sila. Dumihan nila ang Maynila, babuyin nila ang Maynila—'yun ata ang kasiyahan ng mga batang ito tsaka nung mga kongresman na makakaliwa eh (It's sad for a parent to see his or her child become a hoodlum. They're happy showing their open mouths on the road. Maybe vandalizing Manila and treating it like a pigsty are these youths' and those leftist congressmen's happiness)," the mayor stressed.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) had also condemned the violent acts of these individuals while reaffirming its adherence to the Philippine National Police's (PNP) managing public assembly aligned with Batas Pambansa Blg. 880 (Public Assembly Act of 1985), the Police Operational Procedures, respect for human rights, and due process of law.

In a statement issued on March 8, the NCRPO said a tense situation occurred along Kalaw Avenue in Manila when a group of rallyists attempted to breach the police line while proceeding toward the vicinity of the United States Embassy, an area not designated as a Freedom Park.

"NCRPO personnel exercised operational restraint, professionalism, and discipline while repeatedly appealing for calm demeanor and dialogue, requesting the protest leaders to cooperate in order to prevent escalation. Police negotiators continuously called on protesters not to resort to violence, reminding them that while the right to peaceful assembly is respected and protected, such right must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law," the office said.

"Despite these repeated appeals, several individuals attempted to forcefully push through the police line, resulting in a brief confrontation where some police personnel were pushed and knocked down while maintaining their defensive formation," it added.

The police force said it fully recognizes and respects the public’s right to lawful assembly and expression; however, any individual who engages in acts of violence, assault, or other unlawful conduct during public gatherings shall be subject to appropriate legal proceedings in accordance with due process of law.

"The NCRPO remains steadfast in carrying out lawful, measured, and rights-conscious police service, ensuring that public assemblies are managed with balance—protecting civil liberties while maintaining public order, safety, and stability across Metro Manila," it noted.