Manila City Prosecutor’s Office ordered the release of two activists arrested at a protest against Philippines-US military exercises due to lack of evidence.

The Manila City Prosecutor’s Office has ordered the release of two student activists who were arrested by the police for staging a protest in front of the US embassy in Manila. John Gabriel Magtibay and Joanne Pagkaliwangan were taken for illegal assembly, alleged vandalism, and resisting arrest. The police reported that the students intentionally threw paint at the emblem of the United States Embassy before resisting arrest by kicking and parrying the hands of the arresting police officers. However, the prosecutor explained that the complainants failed to provide evidence against the students. Moreover, protests held without a permit when one is required, under the Public Assembly Act of 1985, “may be peacefully dispersed” and no one can be punished or held criminally liable for participating in or attending an otherwise peaceful assembly. The students were protesting against the conduct of the Philippines-United States Balikatan Exercises, which aims to develop mutual defense capability, counter-terrorism, and strengthen maritime security efforts and address shared extremist threats. The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines condemned the arrest of the student activists, saying it violated their right to freedom of assembly.