The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured Monday that everyone involved in the chaos and violent demonstrations that ensued in different parts of Manila on September 21, 2025 will be held accountable to the law.
Law enforcement authorities described the individuals who clashed with security personnel and forced their way into Malacañang via Mendiola and Ayala Bridge were not part of peaceful rallyists, but were anarchists and hooligans.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said a Filipino-Chinese and a lawyer are being tagged as the alleged funders of the group involved in the riot, most of whom have already been arrested and under the Manila Police District (MPD).
Moreno, citing initial reports, said the Filipino-Chinese in question is a former politician in Manila. Both suspects, members of “Partido Politikal,” allegedly financed the group.
“We are wondering who is funding this, because they paid,” said Moreno. “We will also find out what is true but for the meantime we have two suspects,” he added.
Moreno said more than 100 individuals have been arrested and are now detained at the MPD.
“They are all charged with arson… damage to property, government property and private property… there are also minors,” he said.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that the anarchists also targeted a hotel in Manila—to the point that they held the crew and staff of the said establishment trapped inside the building.
According to MPD Public Information Office Chief and spokesman Maj. Philipp Ines, based on their latest tally, 51 individuals were arrested from Ayala Bridge; 21 were caught in Mendiola while 41 were arrested in Recto, where 65 of the arrested were adults and approximately 48 were minors.
The suspects are scheduled to be turned over to the Reception Action Center of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for the necessary interventions of the minors.
Those arrested may face multiple charges for violations of Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act, Illegal Assembly, resistance and disobedience to authority, arson, direct assault, serious physical injuries and other violations.
The suspects will also undergo medical tests to determine if they also sustained any injuries.
According to Ines, based on their initial information, the troublemakers were members of a “HIPHOP GANGSTER” group influenced by a rapper.
They were the ones wearing black clothes and with their faces covered who threw rocks and other things and also attacked the police. He, however, clarified that this is based on preliminary accounts from “individuals now in custody and has not yet been verified.”
The PNP is also looking into the possibility that elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) mixed with the group after a photo of a man with the NPA logo, who was caught beating a policeman, went viral on social media.
