Remulla: Minors Drive Palace Protest Violence

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Sunday said police identified most masked individuals who threw rocks at officers in the Ayala and Mendiola areas as minors. Speaking at Mendiola Bridge, Remulla said authorities found that the youths planned to break through barricades and reach Malacañang.

“They planned to breach the perimeter and burn the palace, but our forces enforced the rules and held the line,” Remulla said. He added that police successfully dispersed the group and would maintain their defensive positions.

DZBB reporter Manny Vargas sustained a facial injury after a rock struck him while he broadcast the incident live on Facebook. Vargas reported that several instigators admitted they wanted to storm Malacañang and set it on fire.

Remulla said authorities will interview all detained protesters in the presence of representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development to ensure proper handling. “We will uphold their rights,” he stressed.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Remulla said police arrested 19 individuals, all minors estimated to be between 15 and 17 years old. He confirmed that the clashes escalated when some protesters threw Molotov cocktails.

“Even while police faced attacks, we continued to exercise maximum tolerance,” Remulla added, highlighting the disciplined response of law enforcement.