World · Philippines Bureau
DILG Reports 58 Gang Members Arrested During Manila September Protests
Interior officials say nearly a third of 200 individuals arrested during violent demonstrations in Manila's Mendiola district were affiliated with the True Brown Style gang. The arrests highlight concerns about criminal elements exploiting protest activities.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Department of Interior and Local Government has identified 58 members of the True Brown Style (TBS) gang among 200 individuals arrested during protests in Manila on September 21, representing nearly 30 percent of those taken into custody.
The arrests occurred in the Mendiola district, where demonstrations descended into violence. According to DILG investigations, the significant presence of gang-affiliated individuals among those arrested underscores concerns about criminal groups exploiting protest activities for their own purposes.
The identification of TBS members came after the department conducted detailed investigations into the background of those apprehended during the unrest. Officials have not disclosed additional details about the specific charges or circumstances surrounding individual arrests.
The September 21 incident marked one of the more contentious protest events in Manila in recent months, with authorities deploying substantial police and security resources to manage the demonstrations.