Gang members among 200 arrested in Mendiola protest operation

MANILA—Nearly 30 percent of the 200 people arrested during protests at Mendiola in Manila on September 21 were members of the international criminal organization True Brown Style (TBS), according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

Remulla disclosed the breakdown following an investigation into those detained during the demonstration. The identification of gang members among the arrested individuals raised questions about the nature and composition of the protest groups that converged on the historic protest site.

Mendiola has long served as a focal point for demonstrations and rallies in the capital, attracting various activist groups and organizations. The September 21 incident marked a significant security operation in the area, with authorities conducting mass arrests during the event.

The TBS gang has been identified by authorities as an international criminal organization with operations across multiple countries in the region. The Interior and Local Government Department's identification of the gang members suggests authorities were monitoring and tracking criminal elements present at the demonstration.