Anti-Corruption Protest in Manila Turns Chaotic, One Piece Flag Waves
Light House Denver – Tens of thousands of residents in Manila took to the streets on Sunday (Sept 21) in a massive anti-corruption protest that ended in chaos. Demonstrators clashed with police forces on the main road leading to Malacañan Palace. The protest reflected growing public anger over a fraudulent flood control project that has cost the country billions.
According to local reports, many protesters dressed in black and wore masks to hide their identities as they attempted to break through police barricades at Mendiola Bridge during the anti-corruption protest. Some waved the Philippine national flag, while others carried the Jolly Roger flag from the anime and manga One Piece, creating a striking and unusual scene.
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Violence erupted when the crowd began hurling stones at the police. Officers responded with warning shots and crowd control measures. The tension escalated further when a trailer truck was set ablaze, sending thick black smoke into the sky, and protesters tried to torch other vehicles. The air was filled with the smell of gasoline, fire, shouting, and sirens.
The protesters advanced in waves, with some waving flags high above the crowd while others threw debris at officers. Police reported that several underage youths had joined the rally, their faces covered with masks as they marched with the masses.
Authorities eventually regained some control by arresting at least 10 rioters and dragging them away from the frontline. Several police officers were reported injured during the unrest.
The protest was sparked by a scandal involving a fictitious flood control project estimated to have cost the nation billions of dollars. Public anger intensified after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. mentioned the issue during his state of the nation address in July. His speech came after a series of deadly floods.
Marcos stated that he did “not blame the people” for taking to the streets but urged that protests remain peaceful. The government placed the military on red alert as a precaution against further violence.
The scandal has shaken Philippine politics. House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of President Marcos, resigned from his position after authorities launched a formal investigation. Earlier this month, the owner of a construction company accused nearly 30 lawmakers of accepting large-scale bribes. He also accused officials from the Department of Public Works of taking part in the scheme.
The Department of Finance estimated that corruption in the flood project caused losses of up to 118.5 billion pesos (US$2 billion). These losses occurred between 2023 and 2025. Greenpeace suggested the real figure could be as high as US$18 billion. This estimate makes it one of the largest corruption scandals in the country’s history.
This information is sourced from CNNINdonesia. Tens of thousands of residents in Manila took to the streets on Sunday (Sept 21) in a massive anti-corruption protest that ended in chaos. Read the full article on LightHouseDenver.
|Author: Lukman Azhari
|Editor: Anna Hidayat
