Cops blast water cannon vs anti-Trump activists in Manila

Anti-riot forces tried to disperse militant groups protesting against United States President Donald Trump, who is in the country for the 31st Association Southeast Asian (Asean) Summit, by using water cannons against them as they marched in Manila on Monday.

According to a Radyo Inquirer 990 AM report, the protesters, who were carrying an effigy of Trump, were blocked by police’s civil disturbance management forces at the corner of Padre Faure Street and Taft Avenue.

The report said some 5,000 protesters were attempting to go near the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), where the main Asean conferences are being held.

As the protesters continued to march, anti-riot policemen, augmented by Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel and trucks, blasted water cannon at the protesters.

Before marching to Taft Avenue, the militant groups burned flags of the United States while they gathered at the Liwasang Bonifacio. They were also carrying banners bearing words “Ban Trump!”

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Director Oscar Albayalde and Manila Police District (MPD) director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel were present at the site to monitor the protest.

Coronel advised the commuting public to avoid Taft Avenue due to the ongoing rallies.

“I-expect ng public na mapeperwisyo dahil sa ongoing protest rally kaya iwasan po natin ang Padre Faura corner Taft Avenue,” Coronel told reporters. With reports from Ricky Brozas, Radyo Inquirer                  /kga