(18 July 2008 - Manila) -- The rally was dubbed Black Friday; the aim of which was to call for the junking of the oil deregulation law and for a rollback of tuition rates.

It was a peaceful march all along until the protesters neared the corner of C.M. Recto Avenue and Morayta Street in Manila.  It was where the police had formed a human barricade to block their path.

The fireman assigned to one of the firetrucks behind the police line inadvertently released the water off the nozzle atop his truck. Many protesters in front, including some members of the police force got sprayed by the jet of cold water.

In reaction, the protesters got enraged; thinking it was an aggressive tactic by the police to thwart their march. And that was the scene where my video clip started.

The police officials on the scene did a very good job in calming down the incensed youths by telling them that it was a mistake that the water was released on them.

The other police officials, on the other hand, ordered their men not to hit anyone with their sticks -- that maximum tolerance was to be exercised.

Thus, a highly volatile situation was diffused. Kudos to the protesters and the policemen for allowing a calm predicament to prevail at the peak of this intensely volatile situation.