Residents of Manila are taking to the streets to demand accountability for the mismanagement of flood control projects costing over $9.5 billion, with protests turning violent as demonstrators clash with police.
The rally was initially peaceful, with thousands gathering at Luneta Park to wave national flags and chant demanding the prosecution of officials and entrepreneurs implicated in the alleged corruption. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has established an independent commission to investigate the ‘anomalies’ surrounding the projects, faced criticism for his response, as the protest turned turbulent.
Demonstrators have expressed frustration over the allocation of public funds, accusing officials and private entities of mismanaging resources meant for flood mitigation. The violence that erupted during the rally included incidents of stone-throwing by protesters, which led to the deployment of water cannons by police to disperse the crowd. Several officers were wounded and hospitalized as a result of these clashes.
Manila’s mayor reported that over a dozen demonstrators were detained under suspicion of inciting violence. Despite these tensions, the protest remains a significant expression of public discontent over perceived government failures in managing critical infrastructure projects. The situation has raised questions about the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures and the need for transparent governance in handling large-scale public works programs.