MANILA (Web Desk) – The Philippines has been rocked by massive anti-corruption protests, with thousands of people taking to the streets in Manila on Sunday. While most demonstrations were peaceful, police arrested 17 people who hurled rocks, burned tires, and clashed with security forces near the presidential palace.
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The arrests came as more than 18,000 citizens gathered at Rizal Park and the EDSA People Power Monument, voicing anger over a massive flood-control corruption scandal. Protesters accused lawmakers, officials, and businessmen of pocketing billions of pesos while millions of Filipinos suffer poverty and flooding.
Student groups, activists, and even church leaders called for accountability but urged demonstrators to stay peaceful. “Our purpose is not to destabilize but to strengthen democracy,” said Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has admitted corruption in thousands of flood-control projects worth over 545 billion pesos and set up an independent commission to investigate. Public outrage grew after a wealthy contractor couple, linked to dozens of luxury cars, accused lawmakers and officials of demanding hefty kickbacks.
The scandal has already forced the resignation of the public works secretary, as well as the Senate president and the House speaker, amid widening investigations.
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