PANOORIN: Mga nag-hunger strike sa Mendiola sa Maynila, nagpakalbo | via @zhandercayabyab pic.twitter.com/YX1ybBOiou

— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) December 4, 2016

MANILA - In a show of support for the country's 410 political detainees, their relatives and activists shaved their heads on Sunday amid a hunger strike protest in Mendiola, Manila.

"Sumisimbolo ito ng aming pagnanasa at hinahangad na agarang pagpapalaya sa mga bilanggong political," said Tessie Bautista, spokesperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)-Southern Tagalog, one of the groups heading the protest.

(This symbolizes our desire for the immediate release of political prisoners.)

Mga nag-hunger strike sa Mendiola, nagpakalbo bilang panawagang palayain ang political prisoners | via @zhandercayabyab pic.twitter.com/XPxVhsQ13A

— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) December 4, 2016

The activists also painted an image of a dove on the street, prompting policemen to reprimand them for destruction of public property.

Mga nag-hunger strike sa Mendiola, Maynila, pininturahan ang kalsada | via @zhandercayabyab pic.twitter.com/qLNrlssvGS

— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) December 4, 2016

Mga pulis-Maynila, sinubukang ipahinto ang street painting ng mga militante sa Maynila | via @zhandercayabyab pic.twitter.com/YVetssuRrR

— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) December 4, 2016

But Evangeline Hernandez of the group Hustisya said the Office of the Mayor has given them permission to hold a rally in Mendiola until December 10, as long as they do not vandalize the Chino Roces Monument.

The rally permit, however, does not allow the protesters to leave a
graffiti on the street.

The Manila Public Information Office also denounced the graffiti as a form of vandalism.

The protesters started fasting on Saturday with their assembly triggering traffic jams on Legarda and Recto Avenues.

Some of the activists will go on hunger strike until International Human Rights Day on December 10.

The Mendiola Street remained closed to traffic on Sunday. -- Report from Zhander Cayabyab

• RELATED STORY: Release of political prisoners expected in matter of weeks