Manila street battle: two-wave student riot in Sampaloc disrupts Lacson Avenue; arrests made

• A significant public disturbance occurred on Lacson Avenue, Sampaloc, Manila, this past Tuesday, involving a large group of youth engaged in a riot, throwing objects and wielding improvised weapons.

• The incident featured two distinct confrontations within an hour; police intervention led to the arrest of three adults (aged 20-28) and the rescue of three minors who were later turned over to their parents.

• Local officials from Barangay 411 lamented that the area is a frequent "battleground" for youth gangs, who often time their riots during periods when police patrols are less active.

• The apprehended adults have been formally charged with "alarm and scandal," highlighting the legal consequences for engaging in such public disturbances.

A public disturbance involving a group of young individuals erupted into a full-blown riot along Lacson Avenue in Sampaloc, Manila, this past Tuesday, leading to the apprehension of three adults and the rescue of three minors.

The incident, which reportedly saw two separate clashes, caused temporary disruption and highlighted ongoing challenges with youth violence in the area.

The initial confrontation unfolded around 2:00 PM on Tuesday, July 15, on a section of Lacson Avenue.

According to a viral video circulating on social media, several youths were seen engaging in a chaotic exchange, throwing various objects at each other.

Disturbingly, some participants were observed still wearing school uniforms, wielding improvised weapons such as sticks and bladed objects, while others held rocks and umbrellas, seemingly used as makeshift shields against projectiles.

This alarming scene briefly brought vehicular traffic to a standstill in the busy thoroughfare.

Police were promptly alerted by the video uploader, leading to a quick response that managed to disperse the first wave of rioters.

However, the respite was short-lived. Barely an hour later, both factions reportedly returned to the same vicinity, reigniting their confrontation with renewed intensity.

Another video captured the sounds of breaking bottles, indicative of the projectiles being hurled by both sides during the renewed conflict.

Barangay 411 officials, whose jurisdiction covers a portion of the area, indicated that the initial conflict might have originated as early as 1:00 PM in the nearby G. Tuazon area before spilling over to Lacson Avenue.

Barangay officials expressed frustration, noting that such incidents are not uncommon in their locality, which they described as frequently becoming a "battleground" for youth groups.

They also pointed out that the rioters were not residents of Barangay 411, with one neighboring barangay confirming that an arrested individual was indeed a resident with a prior record, including involvement in robbery-snatching incidents.

Despite the intensity of the brawl, Barangay 411 reported no injuries among their residents, though there was a possibility of damage to vehicles caught in the crossfire, for which no formal complaints were filed.

Both barangays stressed that while they and police conduct regular patrols, the youth involved in these riots often seem to time their confrontations during periods when surveillance is less active.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, in a past statement on his Facebook Live, confirmed that a total of six individuals were taken into custody by police in connection with the riot.

Of these, three were minors who, following standard procedure, were turned over to their parents or guardians.

The remaining three individuals were adults, reportedly aged between 20 and 28 years old. They have since been formally charged with alarm and scandal, a criminal offense against public order.

The recurrent nature of such youth disturbances in public spaces poses a significant challenge for local authorities and raises concerns for public safety.

Investigations into the full scope of the incident are ongoing as police aim to identify any remaining individuals involved and to ascertain the underlying causes of the persistent conflict between these groups.

Efforts to gather specific public comments directly from the provided article links were unsuccessful due to technical limitations in accessing embedded comment sections on news websites.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, a robbery attempt in Zamboanga City on Monday, July 14, ended with the suspect, Radzmer Sacandal, being apprehended and reportedly mauled by two civilians after he used a pellet gun to threaten victims. Two concerned civilians bravely intervened to detain the suspect, preventing his escape until police arrived on the scene. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation, collecting evidence, and preparing potential criminal charges against Sacandal, including grave coercion, physical injury, and illegal possession of a deadly weapon. The incident prompts a reminder from police for citizens to prioritize their safety and alert law enforcement immediately rather than directly confronting armed suspects during criminal acts.

Still in other news, the body of a 24-year-old nursing student was found floating in the sea in Iligan City. She was allegedly walking in the middle of the bridge, and suddenly disappeared. The incident happened in Brgy. Maria Cristina in Iligan City. She was identified as Chloe Suzannne Villaester.

Source: KAMI.com.gh