A hotel along Claro M. Recto Avenue was vandalized and reportedly ransacked after rallyists shattered its glass windows and defaced its walls on Sunday. Moreover, gunshots rang amid the unrest, and fires broke out on the street.
Hotel destroyed, ransacked
According to DZRH Operation Tulong reporter Federico Manalili, young rallyists in black and with concealed faces forcibly entered the hotel and destroyed its windows and lobby with improvised stands, large rocks, metal implements, and other such objects picked up from the street.
In a report by RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort, the rallyists were pursuing policemen who took cover in the hotel.
Speaking to the hotel’s Officer-in-Charge, Manalili confirmed that four unknown individuals forced their way into the reception desk and ran off with the hotel’s cash.
Personnel like the cashier and a security guard sustained injuries as well.
Eventually, the SWAT arrived at the scene. Some individuals were caught, but it is yet to be confirmed whether they were among the rallyists who forced entry into the hotel and damaged the building.
Gunfire erupted
Gunshots in rapid succession were heard in the middle of the evening demonstrations.
Manalili reported that one person was shot in the head and died.
Before shots were fired, Ricafort said a civilian, bloodied, was carried to the side. His face was wounded, although the cause of his injury has yet to be determined.
More policemen moved into the area and attempted to calm the angry crowd.
Recto Avenue ablaze
Meanwhile, the protesters had also ignited fires along the length of Claro M. Recto Avenue.
Ricafort confirmed with the police that two motorcycles were being burnt in one fire, and unidentified objects in a second one.
According to Manalili, four firetrucks rushed to the area. Ricafort said, however, that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) feared for their safety.
RH 52 Edniel Parrosa reported that posts were unearthed, the mini billboards atop the center island were broken, and the center island itself and the road were spray-painted. Police forces were yet to penetrate the area during the incident, as their numbers were concentrated at Mendiola.
