Thousands of individuals, including Roman Catholic clergy, conducted protests across the Philippines on Sunday. Demonstrators called for the prosecution of legislators and officials implicated in a corruption scandal. Separate protests led by left-wing groups in Manila's main park demanded the immediate resignation and prosecution of all implicated government officials.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been addressing public concerns regarding alleged widespread corruption linked to substandard, defective, or non-existent flood control projects throughout the archipelago.
Security Measures and Military Stance
More than 17,000 police officers were deployed across metropolitan Manila to secure the separate protest events. The Malacanang presidential palace complex was placed under security lockdown, with access roads and bridges blocked by anti-riot police, trucks, and barbed wire.
In a democracy that has seen two presidents removed over plunder allegations in the past 39 years, some calls for the military to withdraw support from the current administration have emerged. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has consistently rejected such calls. On Sunday, the AFP welcomed a statement signed by at least 88 mostly retired generals, including three military chiefs of staff, who condemned any calls for the AFP to engage in unconstitutional acts or military adventurism. The military affirmed its role as a "pillar of stability and a steadfast guardian of democracy."
Protest Details and Demands
Roman Catholic churches nationwide supported Sunday's anti-corruption protests in their respective districts. The primary day-long rally occurred at a "people power" monument along EDSA highway in the capital region, with police reporting approximately 5,000 demonstrators, many dressed in white, attending before noon.
Protesters demanded the imprisonment of members of Congress, officials, and construction company owners allegedly involved in thousands of anomalous flood control projects. They also called for the return of government funds that were allegedly misappropriated. Rev. Flavie Villanueva, a Catholic priest, stated that the alleged theft of money and dignity constituted crimes and sins.
Official Actions and Recoveries
Since President Marcos Jr. raised concerns about flood control anomalies in his July state of the nation address, at least seven public works officers have been jailed on charges related to illegal use of public funds and graft concerning one flood control project. Executives of Sunwest Corp., a construction firm linked to the project, are currently being sought.
On Friday, Henry Alcantara, a former government engineer who admitted involvement in the anomalies during Senate inquiry hearings, returned 110 million pesos ($1.9 million) in alleged kickbacks and committed to returning more. President Marcos stated that approximately 12 billion pesos ($206 million) worth of assets belonging to suspects in flood control anomalies have been frozen by authorities. Marcos has pledged that many of the 37 implicated senators, members of Congress, and construction executives would face legal action by Christmas. Protesters on Sunday advocated for quicker judicial action and the restitution of funds allegedly used for luxury assets by officials.