Police arrest anti-Pax Silica protesters as ASEAN Summit opens in Manila

PAX SILICA PROTEST. Militants gather at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on November 15, 2026, to protest the proposed Pax Silica initiative and US President Donald Trump’s visit to the 49th ASEAN Summit. Rappler At least 11 protesters were arrested by police within the freedom park, according to Manila Police District Spokesperson Philip Ines MANILA, Philippines – Police clashed with protesters at Liwasang Bonifacio on Sunday morning, November 15, as activists opposing Pax Silica and US President Donald Trump tried to march toward the ASEAN Summit venue. The protesters were trying to reach the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the venue of the 49th ASEAN Summit. Police blocked the protesters from proceeding to the summit venue. Some of the protesters managed to slip through several layers of policemen armed with shields. The cops, however, managed to block the protesters again. ASEAN PROTEST. Protesters scuffle with police officers in Manila on November 15, 2026, during a protest against US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit and participation in the 49th ASEAN Summit. Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) President Jerome Adonis said police told them they could not hold a street protest because they did not have a permit. After nearly an hour of attempts to march to PICC, the protesters retreated to Liwasang Bonifacio. Despite this, at least 11 protesters were arrested by police within freedom park, according to Manila Police District Spokesperson Philip Ines. Ines said at least 16 personnel from the Manila Police District were injured. Cops dragged protesters into a police vehicle. Some officers were seen slapping, kicking, and punching one activist as they took him away. Adonis questioned the legality of the arrests, saying they were made inside a freedom park. ASEAN PROTEST. Police arrest a protester in Liwasang Bonifacio on the opening of the ASEAN Summit in Manila, on Sunday, November 15. Photo by Patrick Cruz/Rappler “Ang gulo ho nanggaling sa pulis. Hindi po galing sa amin. Nagdedepensa lang kami ng hanay namin,” he added. (The trouble started with the police, not us. We were only defending our ranks.) Rappler asked the Manila Police District why the protesters were arrested, but it had yet to respond as of writing. Under the Revised Penal Code, a person arrested without a warrant should be brought to court within a maximum of 36 hours, and that is for grave violations. Police also towed the truck that protesters had used as a makeshift stage. Adonis accused police of puncturing their vehicles with nails. In Liwasang Bonifacio, where the protesters plan to camp out, human manure was scattered in front of the statue of Andres Bonifacio, the “father of the Philippine revolution.” ASEAN PROTEST. Personnel from the Manila Department of Environment and Public Service clean the human manure scattered in front of the statue of Andres Bonifacio, in Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, on Sunday, November 15. Photo by Patrick Cruz/Rappler Bayan Muna Chairperson Teddy Casiño, who was also at the protest, claimed that the police were behind this. “Isang malaking ka-hipokrituhan ang ginagawa ng gobyerno. Nagpapakita ng hospitality sa mga dayuhan pero binabastos ang kanyang mga mamamayan,” Casiño said. (The government’s actions are widely hypocritical. It shows hospitality to foreign visitors while disrespecting its own people.) Personnel from the Manila Department of Environment and Public Service later cleaned the human manure. Concerns over Pax Silica Protesters have raised concerns that Pax Silica could displace Indigenous peoples and farming communities in the planned 4,000-acre industrial hub in New Clark City, Tarlac. Pax Silica is a US-led initiative that seeks to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals and semiconductors through partnerships with other countries. The signing of the Pax Silica agreement had reportedly been targeted for November, coinciding with Trump’s visit to the Philippines for the ASEAN Summit. Trump is expected to arrive in Manila on Tuesday, November 17, for the Special ASEAN-US Summit. However, Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo clarified that the Philippines would not sign the agreement during the 49th ASEAN Summit. “We do not want to distract attention or take away attention from the regional initiatives that ASEAN and the Philippines are proposing,” Rodolfo told reporters on Tuesday, November 10. Despite the delay, the Philippines eyes to sign the deal with the US before the year ends, Rodolfo said. Amid the protests, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro appealed to the public to reconsider holding demonstrations during the summit. “Whatever their demands may be, I hope these are not pursued through protests, although I recognize that this is their right. In these times, however, it would be better to have more in-depth discussions about whatever concerns the students may have,” Castro said during a press briefing on Saturday, November 14. Prior to the Sunday protest, thousands of students also protested against Pax Silica. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading