MANILA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government condemned on Sunday the vandalism and violence allegedly committed by protesters in front of the house of President Benigno Aquino III in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
"What the rallyists did in terms of vandalism and inflicting injuries on members of the PNP (Philippine National Police) clearly exceeded the maximum limits of the freedom of expression," said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.
According to Quezon City police chief Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, around 250 protesters from the militant group Manilakbayan assembled in front of the President's home on Saturday, calling for peace and food in Mindanao.
Pagdilao added that when the protesters were about to end their demonstration, they suddenly painted red paint in the street and threw rocks at the policemen.
The authorities tried to stop the protesters and begun making arrests but the demonstrators resisted. Twelve policemen and seven protesters were hurt during the incident.
Coloma said the government would not allow similar incident from happening again.
He said that respect for law and order in a community should prevail.
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