Chaos erupts in Manila on ASEAN Summit opening day; arrests, injuries reported

Tensions escalated across Metro Manila as progressive coalitions, labor unions, and student groups clashed with law enforcement during the opening day of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits on Sunday.

Demonstrations centered around Liwasang Bonifacio and Padre Burgos Avenue in Manila as physical confrontations erupted when protesters attempted to march toward the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, where regional leaders and dialogue partners, including U.S. President Donald Trump, are convening from 15 to 17 November.

Initial police and media reports confirm that at least five to six demonstrators, including a student, were taken into custody and two others were injured during the scuffle near Liwasang Bonifacio.

Progressive umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) reported that at least eight individuals were arrested following police dispersals.

One demonstrator was injured after being struck on the head with a riot shield during the melee.

Authorities have also pursued criminal complaints citing alleged violations of Batas Pambansa Blg. 880 (the Public Assembly Act of 1985) and disobedience to a person in authority against key movement leaders, including BAYAN President Renato Reyes and BAYAN Chairperson Teodoro Casiño.

Protest organizers, including BAYAN and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) stated that the demonstrations aim to oppose the scheduled visit of U.S. President Donald Trump, reject the controversial U.S.-led "Pax Silica" economic security initiative, and draw international attention to domestic economic pressures, rising prices, human rights concerns, and alleged displacement of Indigenous communities.

Prior to Sunday's clashes, thousands of students across Metro Manila, Baguio, and Central Luzon staged system-wide walkouts against Pax Silica, despite assurances from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that the Philippines will not sign the agreement during the summit.

Law enforcement agencies have placed Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon under full alert status from 13 to 19 November.

Nearly 23,000 security personnel, including over 19,000 Philippine National Police (PNP) officers, have been deployed to enforce strict exclusion zones around the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex, diplomatic billeting areas, and major thoroughfares.

PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. appealed to demonstrators to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful assembly responsibly and confine rallies to designated freedom parks.

Meanwhile, BAYAN vowed to continue daily mobilizations throughout the summit, and transport group PISTON is scheduled to launch a transport strike tomorrow, 16 November, to demand the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law.

Commuters and residents are advised to plan around ongoing road closures, heavy traffic congestion, and special non-working days declared in Metro Manila from 16 to 18 November.