Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday confirmed that the September 21 riot in Mendiola, which involved minors, was orchestrated by an organized group that paid participants to incite chaos and destabilize the government. Children as young as 11 were recruited from the Quiapo area and compensated PHP3,000 each. “Mukhang lumalabas organized group… ang bayad nila sa mga bata ay 3,000 each. May mga videos pa kami na pinapakita nila mga pera nila at niyayabang sa social media (It seems like an organized group is coming out… they pay the children 3,000 each. We even have videos of them showing off their money and bragging on social media),” Remulla said.
Initial investigations reveal the group instructed participants to burn Malacañang if they could reach it, describing the incident as a paid disturbance without political or ideological motives. A total of 217 individuals, including 95 minors, are under investigation, with authorities reviewing testimonies, social media videos, and photos to identify organizers and financiers. Several names have emerged, but no charges have been filed yet. “No one is exempt from being investigated, tinitingnan namin. Kailangan may solid case build-up bago kami mag-prosecute (we are looking into it. There needs to be a solid case build-up before we prosecute),” Remulla stated. Potential charges include arson, destruction of property, inciting to sedition, and sedition.
Police officers sustained injuries during the clashes, facing attacks with tear gas, fireworks, and water from canals, while only using smoke grenades for dispersal and deterrence. Remulla reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s dedication to due process and the rule of law. “According nga kay (to the) Presidente, we are a nation of laws, not of men… Hindi pupwede ‘yung basta-basta kami magtuturo ng daliri (We can’t just point fingers). We have a very liberal democracy, but we have to maintain its stability,” he added.