Protests take place in Manila as the ASEAN Summit begins, with some rallies escalating into clashes and police dispersing demonstrators. Coverage describes protesters gathering near Freedom Park and attempting to march toward the summit venues, including the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
Several outlets report arrests during the demonstrations. Rappler says police arrest anti-Pax Silica protesters as the summit opens, citing a Manila Police District spokesperson who puts the number arrested at at least 11. GMA News Online reports different arrest counts and incidents, including nine people arrested when police stop protesters from marching toward the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex, and five people arrested with two injured as protests unfold amid the summit’s start.
Al Jazeera frames the scene around protesters condemning U.S. policies, focusing on the arrival of Southeast Asian leaders and the broader message of the demonstrations. The Inquirer.net report emphasizes the moment-to-moment escalation, describing a tense confrontation between protesters and police and protesters’ claims that authorities tried to sabotage their program.
