| A protester, wearing a white cap, is hit by security personnel with truncheons as he tries to force his way into the Department of Agriculture building |
Protesters climbed over the Agriculture Ministry's low metal fence and swept past helpless security guards, putting up anti-Arroyo banners and calling for the president's resignation. Reports say between 100 and 300 people were involved in the action.
The incident underlined political tensions in the Philippines, two days after 30,000 people marched in the capital denouncing Mrs. Arroyo over allegations of election fraud and graft involving her relatives.
Mrs. Arroyo has repeatedly refused to give up the presidency.
"People power" revolts in the Philippines, aided by backing from the nation's military, toppled presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada. In the current crisis, President Arroyo has been supported by Fidel Ramos, a former general who still wields influence in the military.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.