Manila cops clash with bishops, marchers

Manila policemen clashed yesterday with 1,000 bishops and members of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), who tried to push their way toward Mendiola to stage an indignation rally over the recent death of one of their leaders.

The IFI is mourning the death of Bishop Alberto Ramento, chairman of the supreme council of bishops based in Tarlac last Oct. 3.

Investigators said he was killed during a robbery attempt, but Aglipayans and militant groups claimed it was another political killing.

As early as 1 p.m., anti-riot cops positioned themselves in front of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) head office along Taft Avenue, waiting for the officials and members of IFI, also known as the Aglipayan Church, to pass. From their office along Escoda street along Taft Avenue, the marchers would have to pass through the police barricade to get to Mendiola.

But instead of going to Mendiola, the police escorted the marchers to Liwasang Bonifacio, where irate rally leaders got into a verbal tussle with policemen, who also blocked the Quezon Bridge.

"It came to a point when some of the demonstrators vent their frustration on a police car parked in front of the Metropolitan Theater and even tried to flip the vehicle over," said Senior Police Officer 3 Vidal Bolanos, of the Manila Police District Ermita station.

After holding their program at Liwasang Bonifacio, the rallyists dispersed at 6:24 p.m.