Protest near Palace turns violent on eve of World Teachers' Day

At least 16 teachers and students were injured Sunday after security forces dispersed a lightning demonstration outside the Malacañang Complex, a day ahead of World Teachers' Day, organizers reported.

About 20 demonstrators from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and student groups entered the high-security zone in San Miguel, Manila, by posing as churchgoers attending services at the nearby St. Jude Parish.

The group staged a sudden rally along J.P. Laurel Street in front of St. Jude Catholic School before members of the Presidential Security Command and Manila Police District personnel intervened.

Video footage showed scuffles breaking out between law enforcers and protesters as police moved to dismantle the demonstration.

ACT strongly condemned the police response, reporting that the dispersal left 16 participants injured, destroyed personal belongings of five individuals, and resulted in the confiscation of two megaphones.

"Instead of addressing these demands, the government responded with brute force," ACT said in a statement released Sunday. "It was unnecessary and shows the fascist orientation of the police."

The violent confrontation capped a day of demonstrations calling for a P50,000 entry-level monthly salary for public school teachers, a P5,000 monthly Personnel Economic Relief Allowance, and a national education budget equivalent to 6 percent of gross domestic product.

Demonstrators also raised allegations of government corruption, citing recent Commission on Audit reports detailing unbuilt classroom projects and underutilized Department of Education funds.

The group reiterated its call for public school educators, support staff and students to remain united in advocating for salary increases, benefit enhancements, and increased state funding for the public education sector.