To include a road bass beat, most of the police tapped their stick against their shields in time with the music.
Numerous activists likewise expressed irritation at authorities attempting to overpower their message of disapproval to globalization and free-trade rules championed by APEC.
Five policemen were harmed yesterday when individuals from the Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) conflicted with activists who attempted to reach the PICC yesterday. More than 1,000 anti APEC activists failed to rupture the police blockade at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila and at the edge of Roxas Blvd. and also in Gil Puyat Ave. in Pasay City.
Police Officers 1 Mark Andrew de la Cruz, Rowell John Felipe and Michael Angeles of the Bulacan police force who were assigned at Liwasang Bonifacio sustained scratches in their arms. PO1 Christian Nataon of the Region 2 Police Office sustained a cut in the face and PO3 Leandro Belenio Jr. of the Cordillera police suffered from heat exhaustion after the anti-riot police team fought with protesters.
The wounded policemen were brought at the Manila Doctors Hospital in Manila.
The demonstrators displaying anti-APEC streamers walked from Taft Avenue in Manila and attempted to get close to the Philippine International Convention Center where the APEC summit was held.
A few fights occurred when the demonstrators, carrying hand crafted wooden shields and sticks, attempted to get through the blockade of policemen clad in anti-riot gear and bringing their own armors and sticks.
Fire fighters fired water cannons to separate the charge of protesters. The demonstrators later recovered and held their program using a truck as temporary stage. Speakers attacked the administration and the APEC for supposedly executing anti-poor projects.
The police permitted the activists to hold their program for three hours, after which the protesters dispersed calmly.
Former Bayan Muna party-list lawmaker Satur Ocampo and one of the activist's leader stated they were doing their objection against APEC that supported remote business people to the disadvantage of the agrarian sector.
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