Police arrested several protesters and two were reportedly hurt after a march toward the ASEAN Summit venue was blocked at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila
At least five protesters were reportedly arrested and two others were injured after a scuffle with police at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Sunday, November 15, 2026, as the 49th ASEAN Summit kicked off.
Based on the report of GMA News, citing Super Radyo dzBB’s Manny Vargas, tensions rose between the two sides as protesters tried to march toward Pasay City to hold a rally near the summit venue. Police personnel blocked the group from proceeding.
One of the two injured protesters claimed that a policeman hit him on the head with a riot shield during the commotion.
According to PCapt. Felino Nabato, chief legal officer of the Manila Police District (MPD), at least five ralliers were arrested for allegedly causing a disturbance and holding a rally outside the designated freedom park at Liwasang Bonifacio, as reported by GMA News. The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier said protesters may only hold rallies in freedom parks.
The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), however, disputed the police account. KMU chairperson Jerome Adonis said the arrest of their fellow members was illegal.
The number of those arrested varies between reports. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) told The Philippine STAR that at least eight protesters were arrested, while the Daily Tribune reported that nine were reportedly arrested as police dispersed BAYAN protesters along Taft Avenue who were trying to march to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
The Daily Tribune also reported that demonstrators were allegedly doused with foul-smelling water. Before the march, BAYAN members said they found fart bombs, suspected feces and urine scattered around Liwasang Bonifacio, which they claimed was meant to sabotage their protest.
Protesters also alleged that police deliberately put a nail on the wheels of a truck they planned to use as a stage for their program. The rally was part of a series of protest actions against the visit of United States President Donald Trump for the summit.
In a statement shared by the Manila Standard, BAYAN called the police actions a violation of the right to peaceful assembly and demanded the immediate release of the detained protesters. The PNP, for its part, earlier urged groups to coordinate with authorities and assured that officers would exercise maximum tolerance.
Authorities have yet to release the names of those arrested and the charges they may face.
