Manila police: Rapper influenced rioters in Mendiola-Recto unrest
MANILA, Philippines — Rioters in Mendiola and Recto in Manila have been influenced by a rapper to go riot, Manila Police District (MPD) Police Major Philip Ines said.
At a press conference on Monday, September 22, Ines said the police are still investigating the groups behind the riots, but citing their initial findings, some of the rioters were said to be “hip hop gangsters.”
“Initially nalaman natin ito yung mga hip-hop gangster, ito yung mga nakukuha natin dito, at naimpluwensyahan sila ng isang rapper,” Ines said. (Initially nalaman natin ito yung mga hip-hop gangster, ito yung mga nakukuha natin dito, at naimpluwensyahan sila ng isang rapper.)
However, the MPD spokesperson did not reveal the name of the rapper.
During the riots, Philstar.com spoke with some rioters, who admitted to having coordination, but they refused to disclose to which groups they belonged.
Arrests include minors
Ines also said a total of 216 individuals were apprehended during the riots at Ayala Bridge and Mendiola-Recto.
Eighty-nine of the apprehended individuals are minors. Among these minors, 24 are aged 12 and below.
Minors will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Ines said.
On Monday, parents and family members of the rioters gathered outside the Manila Police District Headquarters in Ermita, Manila, hoping to see their family members.
Bayan distances from riots. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chair Renato Reyes has said some detainees included members of Bayan-affiliated organizations, but that the group itself did not instigate it.
The riots began Sunday afternoon on Ayala Bridge before spreading to Mendiola and Recto Avenue.
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