"Rage over the so-called ghost infrastructure projects has been mounting in the Southeast Asian country since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr put them centre stage in a July State of the Nation address that followed weeks of deadly flooding. Marcos said last week that he did not blame people for protesting one bit, while calling for demonstrations to remain peaceful. Sunday's protests were largely peaceful, with small groups of mostly young men throwing rocks and bottles at police, and setting fire to the tyres of a trailer used as a barricade near a bridge leading to the presidential palace."
"According to the AFP news agency, some police picked up rocks and threw them back at demonstrators. Police advancing behind a wall of shields arrested 17, mostly young, people in one encounter, local authorities said. Barely an hour later, a second clash saw police use water cannon on another group of masked protesters. It was not immediately clear if those involved had any connection to the organised protests."
"The day began with a peaceful morning protest in the capital's Luneta Park that drew nearly 50,000 people, according to city estimates. Thousands more joined an afternoon demonstration at the capital's EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue) thoroughfare, ground zero for the 1986 movement that ousted Marcos's dictator father. Teddy Casino, 56, chairman of the left-wing alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, said the group was demanding not only the return of stolen funds but also prison time for those involved. The Department of Finance has estimated that the Philippine economy lost up to 118.5 billion pesos ($2bn) from 2023 to 2025 due to corruption in flood-control projects."
Thousands marched in Manila to protest alleged corruption in flood-control projects believed to have cost taxpayers billions. Officials resigned amid a mounting political scandal that gained prominence after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr highlighted the issue following weeks of deadly flooding. Demonstrations were largely peaceful but included clashes in which some protesters threw rocks and bottles, set fire to tyres, and were confronted by police who arrested dozens and used water cannon. A morning rally at Luneta Park drew about 50,000 people, with thousands more at EDSA. Activist groups demand the return of stolen funds and prison sentences. The Department of Finance estimates losses of up to 118.5 billion pesos from 2023–2025.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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