Police clashed with activists attempting to march on the US embassy in Manila, turning Kalaw Street alongside the Luneta Park into a battlefield as hundreds of seafarers following up their jobs and other kibitzers cheered from the sidelines.
The activists, from organizations allied with the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan protesting the visit of US President Barack Obama and the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, apparently came prepared for battle, marching behind a screen of improvised shields that spelled the message, “Obama not welcome.”
When it became clear that the phalanx of police from the Regional Public Safety Battalion were not about to let them through to the embassy, the protesters charged but were repelled when a Bureau of Fire Prevention truck trained high-pressure blasts at them with its water cannon.
As the water ran out, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr., ACT party-list Representative Antonio Tinio and former Bayan Muna Representative Taddy Casino negotiated with the police, who agreed to let the activists hold their program.
Eventually, the protesters dispersed marching towards Taft Avenue.
Activists bearing shields reading ‘Obama not welcome’ approach the police line on Kalaw Street.
Activists charge the police ...
… who repel the onslaught with the help of blasts from a water cannon
A defiant activist stands his ground wielding a placard
A worker with a bandaged forehead demands to know who struck him.
Drenched activists raise their fists in defiance
An angry demonstrator points a finger at the police
As the heat of passion dissipates, that of the day intensifies, and both sides seek protection, the police under their shields, activists under a large streamer.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/85716/gallery--activists-police-clash-on-battlefield-kalaw
It's just the usual commie suspects throwing their standard anti-US hissy fit.
ReplyDeleteThe Bagong Alysang Makabayan (BAYAN-New Patriotic Alliance) is the main Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) multi-sectoral umbrella front organization. There are some 20 CPP-associated front groups that make up the membership of BAYAN. This includes the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU-May One Movement), a radical labor federation, who is given attribution on the makeshift "Obama Not Welcome" shields in second photograph from the top.