6 hurt as anti-US protesters, police clash

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July 23, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Police attempted to arrest two photojournalists as a scuffle broke out during yesterday’s protests against United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Around 30 members of progressive groups have branded Rubio a “war criminal” and called for the abandonment of the Pax Silica initiative.

Rubio is in Manila until today for the 59th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Law enforcers prevented protesters from marching to the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay, where the meeting was held.

Six policemen were injured.

Police tried to arrest veteran photo editors Bullit Marquez, formerly of the Associated Press, and Rene Dilan of The Manila Times.

Marquez said police prevented him from taking photos of the scuffle.

“My camera was being covered, so I pushed them,” Marquez said. “My camera fell and after picking it up, they tried to arrest me and handcuff me.”

Pasay police chief Col. Joselito de Sesto said officers made a mistake in attempting to arrest Marquez and Dilan.

“They were thought to be rallyists because they blended with the crowd who were pushing police,” De Sesto told The STAR.

In the police report, one journalist was taken into custody: Bulatlat’s Jian Sanz, 22, after she “accidentally fell and was stepped on by other participants.”

Sanz was released and no charges were filed against her.

The Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines has called for an investigation into the “harassment” and “intimidation” of its members.

The National Press Club will seek a dialogue with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security.

Reiterating its respect for press freedom, the Southern Police District said the matter is under investigation.