Today marks the 45th anniversary of the day the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in the Philippines.
President Rodrigo Duterte suspended all classes in public schools and government work, calling it a “national day of protest,” a move many saw as a way of undercutting protests that were largely being aimed at his administration’s policies.
The major rallies in Metro Manila began in several areas across the city including the Commission on Human Rights’ (CHR) Manlaban Para sa Karapatan (Fight For Rights) protest in Quezon City and a bigger rally at the Luneta Park in Manila organized by the Movement Against Tyranny.
There were two events planned for the CHR – the first began at the Misa para sa Katarungan (Mass for Justice) at the UP Diliman Chapel at 2pm, followed by the protesters’ march to the CHR.
The second stream, which also started at 2pm, began with an assembly in front of the Bantayog ng mga Bayani, followed by a 4pm Catholic Mass at the same venue. After Mass, the protesters would join others at the CHR.
While several marches protesting the possible declaration of martial law and extrajudicial killings are taking place in several locations in Metro Manila, one pro-Duterte rally has formed in the Mendiola area. As of 3pm, media reports up to 12,000 supporters of the president have turned up at the pro-administration rally.
No injuries or violent clashes have been reported so far.
Take a look at photos and videos from our content partner ABS-CBN News and Agence France-Presse below:
Photos of Kian delos Santos, Carl Arnaiz, Kulot de Guzman displayed alongside martial law victims at rally in CSB Taft | @migueldumaual pic.twitter.com/3ErvBoGGd2
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) September 21, 2017
Protesters: Karapatang pantao, hindi isang libo! | via @IanEsguerra pic.twitter.com/1sIYYn7x3E
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) September 21, 2017
Traffic stopped as #DayOfProtest makes its way to Luneta, and motorists don’t sound happy about it. | @StevieAngeles pic.twitter.com/iRDAlbOqnE
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) September 21, 2017
La Salle, St. Scho, UP Manila, Adamson converge on Kalaw cor. Taft towards Luneta protest | via @migueldumaual pic.twitter.com/cZc2nfNffP
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) September 21, 2017
Students, faculty of some Taft schools start march to Luneta. Contingent chanting, “Itigil ang karahasan, karapatan ipaglaban” pic.twitter.com/X36jeObJMi
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) September 21, 2017
As of 3PM, lampas 12,000 na ang crowd estimate ng pulisya sa mga Duterte supporters sa Plaza Miranda | @angelmovido pic.twitter.com/VJeABwrYwo
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) September 21, 2017
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