The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — Tensions flared outside the Senate building in Pasay City on Thursday as supporters of the Duterte-allied Senate majority bloc led by ousted Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano confronted a separate group of protesters calling for Cayetano’s resignation. Police set up barricades along Diokno Avenue and restricted access near the Senate gate as supporters continued to gather in the area. A brief scuffle broke out between the two groups, prompting police officers to intervene and separate the opposing camps. At the same time, supporters engaged in a heated confrontation with police after authorities prevented a vehicle carrying about 3,000 food packs from proceeding closer to the Senate gate. The supporters argued that the food packs were intended for those participating in the gathering. Officers from the Southern Police District told The Manila Times that only the vehicle was barred from entering the area and that they were enforcing access restrictions and maintaining the security perimeter around the Senate complex. Meanwhile, the Pasay City Traffic and Parking Management Office personnel deployed in the area told The Manila Times that Diokno Avenue had been closed to traffic due to the growing crowd outside the Senate as motorists were advised to use alternate routes.
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