22 cops, protesters hurt in clash
Two policemen and at least 20 rallyists were injured after they clashed in Manila yesterday afternoon.
Police Officer 2 Vivencio Bigcas and PO1 Paulino Angcamaran Jr., both assigned with the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Regional Public Safety Battalion at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, were hurt in the incident.
Superintendent Erwin Margarejo, Manila Police District spokesman, said the protesters started the melee after police stopped them from marching toward the United States embassy at around 2 p.m.
The rallyists gathered at Plaza Salamanca at 12 noon and marched toward UN Avenue to avoid policemen deployed along Kalaw street. But the protesters were met by another team from the NCRPO.
The militants converged at Plaza Ferguson in an effort to get closer to the US embassy to denounce President Donald Trump’s visit to the country during the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit this week.
They burned the US flag to condemn the Visiting Forces Agreement and En- hanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and US.
Tension erupted after the protesters destroyed the police barriers.
Police said they lost helmets, batons and shields during the clash.
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