Philippine protesters slam killings under Duterte 45 years after dictator Marcos declared martial law
Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972 and held power for 14 years until his removal in a bloodless, army-backed ‘people’s power’ uprising.
Thousands of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s critics and supporters held rival rallies on Thursday, taking emotional national debates over his deadly drug war and martial law threats to the streets.
Police in battle gear kept order as at least 8,000 protesters held a series of rallies across Manila, using the 45th anniversary of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos imposing martial law to warn that Duterte was equally violent and authoritarian.
“Our country is turning into a graveyard. People are getting killed everyday and we bury the dead everyday, just like in the time of Marcos,” anti-Duterte protest leader Pedro Gonzales said.
But supporters of Duterte also turned up in large numbers, reflecting his popularity with many Filipinos who see him as a charismatic, anti-establishment politician who is their best chance to quell crime and corruption.
Duterte vowed in last year’s election campaign to eradicate illegal drugs in society by killing up to 100,000 traffickers and addicts.
Since he assumed office 15 months ago police have reported killing more than 3,800 people in anti-drug operations.