Police battle protesters in Manila slum riot

Philippine slum dwellers hurling rocks, improvised explosives and human excrement fought running battles with riot police yesterday around a sprawling Manila shanty town that is set for redevelopment.

Police said an officer was admitted to hospital with a head injury. Several residents of the North Triangle slum were briefly detained without being charged.

Police moved in as traffic backed up after squatters erected barricades across a street, the district's police chief, Senior Superintendent Richard Albano, said on television.

"We arrested some people, but later decided to release them," he added.

Residents hurled projectiles at officers who baton-charged them from behind shields. Rocks, spikes and nails packed in small containers, as well as faeces, were hurled at the police.

Television also showed police firing what appeared to be tear gas at the rioters, who were reined in just before midday.