The activity conducted by pro-revolutionary government groups that was held in Mendiola on Thursday was "generally peaceful," a police officer said.
On the day marking the 154th birth anniversary of revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio, a group called "Network Revolution - National Coordinating Council" launched a national movement to urge President Rodrigo Duterte to declare a revolutionary government.
The crowd estimate was at least 1,500 participants at the start of the program at 3 p.m. held near the Mendiola Peace arch.
The movement called for the establishment of a federal government to replace the 1987 Constitution, as stated in their distributed statement.
LOOK: RevGov supporters crowd Mendiola @gmanewspic.twitter.com/EkODB7FxPq
— M. Claire Layug (@MClaireLayug) November 30, 2017
Senior Insp. Leonardo De Guzman of Manila Police District Station 8 said the crowd grew to almost 5,000 after two hours but the streets were still passable.
At the corner of Loyola Street and C.M. Recto Avenue, police officers formed a barricade that kept groups who have opposing stand on the proposed revolutionary government apart from each other.
When asked why a barricade was in place, Guzman replied, "Kaya binigyan ng barricade doon, baka pagpunta nito dito, magkaroon ng girian."
Guzman said the pro-revolutionary government's activity was generally peaceful.
However, the anti-Duterte protesters had a brief skirmish with the security forces. The police line held their ground but they also pushed back the protesters. The groups were doused with water before the confrontation died down. — BAP, GMA News