Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso said Monday that initial findings point to a former politician and a lawyer as financiers of the violent rally along Recto Avenue that left properties destroyed and police officers wounded.
📷: Isko Moreno Domagoso, Facebook
“Merong mga initial report, sketchy pa, may dating pulitiko, Filipino-Chinese ang funder, tapos may isang abugado, funder din, nung mga bata na iyon kagabi,” Domagoso revealed in an ambush interview.
Police data showed that 113 individuals were arrested for hurling rocks, burning tires, and vandalizing establishments during what was supposed to be an anti-corruption protest.
The mayor said many of those who joined the disturbance came from Taguig, Pasay, Parañaque, Caloocan, and Quezon City.
He also confirmed that more than 100 police officers were injured in the clash.
“Meron pa ko isang nag-kritikal pero ano na siya, ligtas na,” he noted, referring to a cop who was initially in critical condition but is now safe.
Authorities estimate the damage from the riot to be worth millions of pesos.