5 arrested at Taguig City rally decrying Pax Silica — rights group

(Photo courtesy of the Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association Facebook) [Updated Sept. 10, 2026, 2:08 p.m.] MANILA, Philippines — Five individuals were arrested when tensions flared outside a forum attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City on Thursday, according to a rights group. In a statement, Karapatan identified the apprehended individuals as five paralegals: three arrested during the dispersal of protesters; and two arrested while supposedly assisting the former. Article continues after this advertisement “Karapatan condemns these arbitrary arrests as a clear violation of the people’s right to peaceful protest, particularly on the urgent and burning issue of the Pax Silica initiative in the Philippines,” it stressed. For its part, in its own statement, the group Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment noted that at least 27 protesters had been “shoved, dragged, beaten with heavy riot shields and police batons, and roughly manhandled” during the dispersal. Marcos was attending the Luzon Economic Corridor Investors Forum at a hotel in BGC when protesters outside voiced opposition to Pax Silica. Pax Silica is a United States (US)-led coalition of 14 countries, including the Philippines, aiming to strengthen supply chains for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. Stakeholders and progressive groups have raised concerns related to the possible displacement of communities and environmental protection. Article continues after this advertisement Although the groups claimed five had been arrested, the Southern Police District (SPD) earlier said only four had been taken into police custody. “Pilit sila pumapasok. Pinagbabawal naman,” SPD Deputy Director for Operations Col. Robert Baesa said in an interview with reporters. Article continues after this advertisement (They were forcibly trying to enter. It’s not allowed.) “Kakasuhan yun. Illegal assembly. Bawal dito. Wala namang permit dito sa BGC mag-rally,” he added. (They’ll be charged with illegal assembly. It’s not allowed here. They don’t have a permit here in BGC to hold a rally.) READ: Pax Silica and the Luzon Economic Corridor: The capability test According to Baesa, at least 16 police officers were injured. “Mga suntok. May mga gasgas-gasgas. May mga tama,” he explained. (They were punched. Some had scratches. Some were hit.) “Hindi kailanman nagsimula ang pulis talaga ng gulo… Lagi namang maximum tolerance kami,” he added. (The police have never started trouble… We’ve always been for maximum tolerance.) The Inquirer sought further details from the SPD, but its Public Information Office has yet to respond as of posting time. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. This is a developing story. /gsg /mr