Over 200 Arrested After Clashes During Philippine Anti-Corruption Protest.
Police in Manila arrested more than 200 people, including at least 88 minors, after clashes broke out between law enforcement and masked protesters during largely peaceful anti-corruption demonstrations on Sunday. Authorities deployed water cannons and sirens to disperse mostly young, rock-throwing protesters. Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno noted that a 12-year-old boy was the youngest among those detained.
Thousands of Filipinos had gathered to protest a growing bogus flood-control scandal, which has implicated multiple lawmakers and led to the resignation of leaders from both houses of Congress. The demonstrations, attended by families, activists, clergy, and politicians, were largely peaceful until violence erupted, leaving police vehicles burned and a precinct window smashed.
Police officials said the motives of many detained remain unclear, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether they were part of the protest or opportunistic troublemakers. Approximately 50 people were hospitalized, while 93 officers were reported injured.
The ghost infrastructure projects scandal has cost the Philippine economy billions, with estimates ranging from $2 billion to $18 billion, according to the Department of Finance and Greenpeace. President Ferdinand Marcos highlighted the issue in his July state of the nation address following deadly flooding.
Meanwhile, the country faces further challenges as Super Typhoon Ragasa approached northern provinces, a stark reminder that the Philippines endures an average of 20 storms and typhoons annually, keeping millions in disaster-prone areas vulnerable.
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