Protesters clash with Manila police on 52nd Martial Law anniversary

Protest marchers on Saturday clashed with anti-riot police as they made a push to reach Mendiola Bridge in Manila City on the 52nd anniversary of Martial Law.

Activists attempted to make their way past the phalanx of policemen, some of whom were carrying shields.

Initial images from the scene showed a policeman apparently subduing a male faced down on the ground. It was not immediately clear as of posting time if lawmen made any arrests.

The Adamson Chronicle, the 83-year-old student publication of Adamson University, shared video on its Facebook page of what it described as a "police barricade" blocking the passage of protesters on the way to Mendiola.

Its succeeding video post showed activists gathered around a mobile stage on Recto Avenue as they have been unable to reach Mendiola to conduct their protest action there.

In España Avenue, Super Radyo dzBB's Mao dela Cruz reported that activists from Southern Tagalog gathered near Welcome Rotonda to stage a rally on the 52nd anniversary of martial rule.

Some organizers were speaking with policemen on the scene.

WATCH: Mga aktibista mula sa Timog Katagalugan, nagtipon-tipon malapit sa Welcome Rotonda sa España Blvd., Maynila upang magsagawa ng kilos-protesta kasabay ng paggunita ngayong araw ng ika-52 anibersaryo ng deklarasyon ng Martial Law. | via Mao dela Cruz pic.twitter.com/jaJjlHNklo

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 21, 2024

Dela Cruz later reported that the group from España Avenue was able to reach Recto Avenue to join protest activities. He added that the Manila police continued to refuse passage to the protesters, who denounced budget cuts in the education sector, called for a legislated wage hike, and clamored for agrarian reform, among others.

Meanwhile, the Buhay and EDSA Campaign Network is set to launch on Saturday evening a simultaneous candle lighting campaign at multiple sites across the country "to remember the day we lost our freedoms to a martial law regime."

The late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. signed Proclamation 1081 on Sept. 21, 1972, placing the Philippines under Martial Law.

According to data from the Human Rights Victims' Memorial Commission, more than 11,103 victims suffered from violations of human rights. A total of 2,326 victims of enforced disappearance were recorded. — VDV, GMA Integrated News