Anti-US Protesters, Police Clash Near ASEAN Meet Venue; Journalists Affected

MANILA, Philippines — Six policemen were injured yesterday as a scuffle broke out between anti-US protesters and law enforcers during a demonstration held near the venue of the 59th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The protesters were demonstrating against the visit of the United States Secretary of State. Around 30 members of progressive groups gathered to brand the US Secretary of State a "war criminal" and called for the abandonment of an initiative referred to as "Pax Silica." Law enforcers prevented the protesters from marching to the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay, where the meeting was being held. During the confrontation, police attempted to arrest two photojournalists: veteran photo editor Bullit Marquez, formerly of the Associated Press, and Rene Dilan of The Manila Times. Marquez recounted that police prevented him from taking photos of the scuffle, covering his camera. "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.