Demonstrators denounce president's 'drug war' as they mark 45 years since the declaration of martial law in Philippines.

Thousands of people have protested in the Philippines on the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the country, while denouncing what they say are President Rodrigo Duterte's authoritarian tendencies and his bloody crackdown on illegal drugs.

Hundreds of riot police on Thursday were deployed in the capital, Manila, to secure the marches and rallies, among the largest against Duterte since he took office last year.

A group calling itself a "Movement Against Tyranny" used the anniversary to highlight human rights violations under Duterte's so-called drug war on drugs.

According to police statistics, more than 3,000 suspects have been killed in anti-drug operations since Duterte became president on June 30, 2016.

Another 2,000 more have died in drug-related homicides, according to government figures.

READ MORE: Thousands demand end to killings in Duterte's drug war

Waving red flags and carrying placards that read "Stop the killings", left-wing groups gathered in three areas of Manila, including a bridge leading to the presidential palace. They assembled later at a park by Manila Bay for the main protest.

Another group of protesters staged a separate rally at the Commission on Human Rights, which has been repeatedly denounced by Duterte for raising an alarm over his campaign against illegal drugs.

"Marcos, Duterte, no different, they both kill," the activists chanted, referring to the late leader Ferdinand Marcos who imposed military dictatorship for eight years in 1972, citing the threat of communism.

Marcos' martial law era, which ended in 1981, was marked by massive human rights violations and the muzzling of civil liberties.

Al Jazeera's Jamela Alindogan, reporting from the protest in Manila, said that survivors of the martial law period draw a lot of similarities between former president Marcos and the current rule of Duterte.

"The protesters are asking the president to stop his so-called war on drugs and instead focus on institutional reform, especially when it comes to the Philippine national police and the judiciary," she said.

Duterte declared Thursday as a National Day of Protest to allow people "to express their grievances as part of their constitutional rights" as he suspended work in government offices and classes in public schools.

But he warned protesters not to break the law.

"I will not hesitate to use force even if it would mean my downfall as president of this country, remember that," Duterte said on Friday on state TV.

Several thousand demonstrators took the opportunity to gather separately to show their support for the president.

Duterte imposed military rule in the southern Mindanao region for 60 days on May 23 when hundreds of ISIL-linked fighters occupied parts of Marawi city.

The Philippines Congress approved in July Duterte's request to extend martial law in the southern island until the end of the year.

Duterte has also threatened to impose a nationwide martial law to combat the threat from fighters in the south.

Last week, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Duterte may expand martial law in the southern Philippines to the entire country if the September 21 rallies turn violent.

But, on Thursday, Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella tried to allay those fears.

"If they are saying that martial law is being planned, it is not so," he said in a radio interview.</s>Manila, Philippines — Thousands of protesters marked Thursday’s anniversary of the 1972 declaration of martial law by late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos with an outcry against what they say are the current president’s authoritarian tendencies and his bloody crackdown on illegal drugs.

Hundreds of riot police were deployed to secure the marches and rallies, among the largest against President Rodrigo Duterte since he took power last year.

Pro-Duterte followers also staged rallies in Manila. The rival demonstrations reflected deepening divisions sparked largely by the president’s brutal anti-crime style.

Duterte warned he will use force or expand nationwide his declaration of martial law in the country’s south if the anti-government protesters threatened public order. In May, he placed the southern third of the largely Roman Catholic nation under martial law to deal with a siege by pro-Islamic State group militants in southern Marawi city that has dragged on for nearly four months.

Marcos’ martial law era, which ended in 1981, was marked by massive human rights violations and muzzling of civil liberties.

“This is the worst administration I have seen,” Marina Maulawin, a 74-year-old retired teacher, said of Duterte’s presidency. “He’s like a madman,” she said at the main opposition rally.

A Catholic nun, Sister Mary John Mananzan, expressed relief that more people were starting to stand up against government abuses. “I am happy that we are all here because I can see that just as fear is infectious, courage is also infectious,” she said on stage at the opposition rally.

The left-wing group Karapatan accused Duterte of using “narratives and tactics straight out of Marcos’s playbook of repression, repeating and justifying rights violations, with increasing frequency and intensity.”

Freddie Olase, a 53-year-old driver, joined a few thousand Duterte supporters in a rally in a square beside the popular Quiapo Catholic church.

“What we need is an iron fist,” Olase said, expressing support for Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. “I now feel safer when going home in our community and my grandchildren can play outside the house even at night.”

Duterte warned protesters not to break the law. “I will not hesitate to use force even if it would mean my downfall as president of this country, remember that,” Duterte said Friday on state TV.

Waving red flags and carrying placards that read “Stop the Killings,” left-wing groups gathered in three areas of Manila, including a bridge leading to the presidential palace. They assembled later at a park by Manila Bay for the main protest.

Another group of protesters staged a separate rally at the Commission on Human Rights, which has been repeatedly denounced by Duterte for raising an alarm over his campaign against illegal drugs that has left thousands of suspects dead.

Duterte’s allies in the House of Representatives initially voted to reduce the commission’s annual budget to 1,000 pesos ($20) but reconsidered the decision late Wednesday amid an outcry and after the human rights chief met congressional leaders.

U.S. and European Union officials, along with the United Nations and human rights groups, have expressed alarm over Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, sparking expletives-laden outbursts from the president. The unorthodox president, however, has remained popular in his crime-weary country, helped by his common-guy demeanor and populist rhetoric.

Duterte said Wednesday he has ordered law enforcers to kill his own children, two of whom serve as mayor and vice mayor of his southern home city, if they’re found to be involved in illegal drugs.

“You can just kill them so the people can’t say anything,” Duterte said.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Thousands of people gathered in different parts of the country on Thursday, September 21, to remember and remind Filipinos of the dark chapter in Philippine history following the declaration of martial law 45 years ago.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared September 21 as a "National Day of Protest" in anticipation of mass actions to mark the anniversary of Martial Law, and suspended work in government offices and in public schools across the country.

At around 10 am on Thursday, hundreds of students of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, progressive youth groups, and Lumad youth held a rally in front of Quezon Hall to mark the anniversary of Martial Law and to denounce the Duterte administration's feared bid to implement nationwide martial law.

The major rallies in Metro Manila were at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Quezon City for the Manlaban Para sa Karapatan (Fight For Rights) protest, and a bigger rally at the Luneta Park in Manila organized by the Movement Against Tyranny.

There were two streams in line with the CHR rally – the first began at the Misa para sa Katarungan (Mass for Justice) at the UP Diliman Chapel at 2 pm, followed by the protesters' march to the CHR.

The second stream, which also started at 2 pm, began with an assembly in front of the Bantayog ng mga Bayani, followed by a 4 pm Mass at the same venue. After Mass, the protesters would join others at the CHR.

The rally at the CHR coincided with the unveiling of the statue of staunch nationalist and human rights advocate Jose W. Diokno, which was attended by former president Benigno Aquino III, Vice President Leni Robredo, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, among others. (READ: Remember, prevent return of 'dark times' under Martial Law – Robredo)

The Luneta rally at the Lapu-Lapu area was expected to draw at least 40,000 people, according to organizers. The rally organizers cited malicious text messages meant to taint the protest and discourage participants, but expressed confidence that the "sabotage" ploy would not deter people from attending the rally.

Supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte and groups opposed to his policies held their respective rallies at Mendiola Park near Malacañang.

Demonstrations were also held in various parts of the country. (MAPS: Protest activities on September 21, Martial Law anniversary) – Rappler.com</s>Thousands of people in the Philippines have demonstrated throughout Thursday to denounce President Rodrigo Duterte, warning him that that the country is becoming a dictatorship.

It was a major show of people power against the controversial but hugely popular leader.

Politicians, indigenous people, priests, businessmen, and left-wing activists united to stage marches and church masses, accusing the president of authoritarianism and protesting against his ferocious war on drugs that has killed thousands.

Signs saying 'Stop The Killings' and 'No To Martial Rule' reflected the fear of many that Duterte would one day deliver on his threat to declare nationwide military rule - similar to that imposed by late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

The rallies marked the 45th anniversary of the start of that era, remembered by many in the country as being a period of brutality and oppression.

Effigies of Duterte were burned, including one which bore both his face and that of late Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

A protester with a toy gun played dead on the ground in a re-enactment of one of a spree of drug-related killings that activists say in reality are executions staged by police. Police have denied the allegations.

Anti-Duterte Senator Risa Hontiveros said democracy was under threat by a 'Dutertatorship' with a 'policy of killing'.

Vice President Leni Robredo, who was not Duterte's running mate, said Filipinos should recognise signs of 'rising tyranny' and that there was a 'culture of violence around us'.

Marcos declared martial law in 1972 and held power for 14 years until his removal in a bloodless, army-backed 'people's power' uprising. He abolished democratic institutions and was accused of killing, torturing and causing the disappearance of thousands of opponents.

Duterte has expressed admiration for Marcos. His critics are alarmed by his autocratic rhetoric and a vicious disdain for his detractors.

But he won last year's election by a big margin and has maintained one of the highest public approval ratings of a Philippines president.

Several thousand turned out on Thursday to show their support for Duterte at a rival rally that entertained crowds with live music, dancing and food.

'This is to tell the people that 'here we are, we are the majority who are happy with the government and not those few who are just griping',' said rally organiser Benny Antiporda, a former journalist.

Millions of Filipinos admire Duterte's down-to-earth style, his decisiveness and even his imperfections.

His supporters at home and among the diaspora see him as a champion of ordinary people and the best hope for change that presidents from the political elite failed to bring.

The anti-Duterte demonstrators criticised his pro-China stance and the destruction in southern Marawi City by military air strikes targeting Islamist militants.

Others decried what they see as his cosy relationship with the still-powerful Marcos family.

'It seems that what we fought for in 1972, is again back. The total disrespect for human life, dignity, human rights. And that was how we started,' said Rene Saguisag, a former senator and human rights lawyer.

'In some ways, it may be worse.' (Additional reporting by Dondi Tawatao, Romeo Ranoco, Enrique de Castro and Ronn Bautista; Writing by Manuel Mogato and Martin Petty; Editing by Catherine Evans)</s>MANILA—Thousands of antigovernment protesters thronged Manila Thursday in the largest outpouring of opposition against President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly war on drugs and strongman style of governance.

The protests, planned to coincide with the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, extend weeks of backlash against the Duterte administration following the alleged execution of a...</s>Protesters hit a burning cube effigy with the faces of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and President Rodrigo Duterte during a rally near the Presidential Palace, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 in Manila, Philippines.

MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of protesters marked Thursday's anniversary of the 1972 declaration of martial law by late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos with an outcry against what they say are the current president's authoritarian tendencies and his bloody crackdown on illegal drugs.

Hundreds of riot police were deployed to secure the marches and rallies, among the largest against President Rodrigo Duterte since he took power last year, although a new survey by the Washington-based Pew Research Center showed the president and his anti-drug campaign are widely popular in the Philippines.

Pro-Duterte followers also staged rallies in Manila. The rival demonstrations reflected deepening divisions sparked largely by the president's brutal anti-crime style.

Duterte warned he will use force or expand nationwide his declaration of martial law in the country's south if the anti-government protesters threatened public order. In May, he placed the southern third of the largely Roman Catholic nation under martial law to deal with a siege by pro-Islamic State group militants in southern Marawi city that has dragged on for nearly four months.

Marcos' martial law era, which ended in 1981, was marked by massive human rights violations and muzzling of civil liberties.

"This is the worst administration I have seen," Marina Maulawin, a 74-year-old retired teacher, said of Duterte's presidency. "He's like a madman," she said at the main opposition rally.

A Catholic nun, Sister Mary John Mananzan, expressed relief that more people were starting to stand up against government abuses. "I am happy that we are all here because I can see that just as fear is infectious, courage is also infectious," she said on stage at the opposition rally.

The left-wing group Karapatan accused Duterte of using "narratives and tactics straight out of Marcos's playbook of repression, repeating and justifying rights violations, with increasing frequency and intensity."

Freddie Olase, a 53-year-old driver, joined a few thousand Duterte supporters in a rally in a square beside the popular Quiapo Catholic church.

"What we need is an iron fist," Olase said, expressing support for Duterte's anti-drug campaign. "I now feel safer when going home in our community and my grandchildren can play outside the house even at night."

Duterte warned protesters not to break the law. "I will not hesitate to use force even if it would mean my downfall as president of this country, remember that," Duterte said Friday on state TV.

Waving red flags and carrying placards that read "Stop the Killings," left-wing groups gathered in three areas of Manila, including a bridge leading to the presidential palace. They assembled later at a park by Manila Bay for the main protest.

Another group of protesters staged a separate rally at the Commission on Human Rights, which has been repeatedly denounced by Duterte for raising an alarm over his campaign against illegal drugs that has left thousands of suspects dead.

Duterte's allies in the House of Representatives initially voted to reduce the commission's annual budget to 1,000 pesos ($20) but reconsidered the decision late Wednesday amid an outcry and after the human rights chief met congressional leaders.

U.S. and European Union officials, along with the United Nations and human rights groups, have expressed alarm over Duterte's anti-drug campaign, sparking expletives-laden outbursts from the president. The unorthodox president, however, has remained popular in his crime-weary country, helped by his common-guy demeanor and populist rhetoric.

Duterte said Wednesday he has ordered law enforcers to kill his own children, two of whom serve as mayor and vice mayor of his southern home city, if they're found to be involved in illegal drugs.

"You can just kill them so the people can't say anything," Duterte said.

The Pew Research Center survey released Thursday showed Duterte and his campaign against illegal drugs are supported by most Filipinos, with 86 percent having a favorable view of Duterte and 78 percent supporting his handling of the drug problem.

"Despite international concerns leveled by various governments regarding Duterte's controversial clashes with drug cartels and potential human rights violations, the Filipino leader and his policies are widely popular," Pew said.

It said face-to-face interviews of 1,000 adult Filipinos were conducted between Feb. 26 and May 8 in the nationwide survey, which had a margin of error of 4.3 percentage points.</s>President Rodrigo Duterte visited Marawi City again on Thursday, the fifth time since the fighting between government troops and Islamic State-inspired terrorists started on May 23.

Duterte made the visit to war-torn city as protesters mounted mass actions in Metro Manila on the “National Day of Protest.”

The President was accompanied by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces Chief Eduardo Año, and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go during his visit.

During his visit, Duterte said he would lift martial rule in Mindanao once Marawi has been cleared, especially of improvised explosive devices. He did not give a timeline.

The President placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law on May 23 after the Maute group laid siege to Marawi City.

A total of 673 terrorists, 47 civilians and 149 government troopers have died since the clashes started, according to latest official data.</s>MANILA, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Thousands of Filipinos rallied on Thursday to denounce Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and warn of what they called an emerging dictatorship, in a major show of dissent against the controversial but hugely popular leader.

Politicians, indigenous people, priests, businessmen, and left-wing activists held marches and church masses accusing Duterte of authoritarianism and protesting at policies including a ferocious war on drugs that has killed thousands.

Signs saying "Stop The Killings" and "No To Martial Rule" reflected fears that Duterte would one day deliver on his threat to declare nationwide military rule like that imposed by late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

The rallies marked the 45th anniversary of the start of that era, remembered by many Filipinos as brutal and oppressive.

Effigies of Duterte were burned, including one which bore both his face and that of late Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

A protester with a toy gun played dead on the ground in a reenactment of one of a spree of drug-related killings that activists say are executions staged by police. Police reject those allegations.

Anti-Duterte Senator Risa Hontiveros said democracy was under threat by a "Dutertatorship" with a "policy of killing".

Vice President Leni Robredo, who was not Duterte's running mate, said Filipinos should recognise signs of "rising tyranny".

"It's sad that we seemed to have not learned our lessons," Robredro said. "There's a culture of violence around us."

Marcos declared martial law in 1972 and held power for 14 years until his removal in a bloodless, army-backed "people's power" uprising. He abolished democratic institutions and was accused of killing, torturing and "disappearing" thousands of opponents.

Duterte has expressed admiration for Marcos. His critics are alarmed by his autocratic rhetoric and a vicious disdain for his detractors.

But he won last year's election by a big margin and has maintained one of the highest public approval ratings of a Philippines president.

Several thousand turned out on Thursday to show their support for Duterte at a rival rally that entertained crowds with live music, dancing and food.

"This is to tell the people that 'here we are, we are the majority who are happy with the government and not those few who are just griping'," said rally organiser Benny Antiporda, a former journalist.

Millions of Filipinos admire Duterte's down-to-earth style, his decisiveness and even his imperfections.

His supporters at home and among the diaspora see him as a champion of ordinary people and the best hope for change that presidents from the political elite failed to bring.

The anti-Duterte demonstrators criticised his pro-China stance and the destruction in southern Marawi City by military air strikes targeting Islamist militants.

Others decried what they see as his cosy relationship with the still-powerful Marcos family.

"It seems that what we fought for in 1972, is again back. The total disrespect for human life, dignity, human rights. And that was how we started," said Rene Saguisag, a former senator and human rights lawyer.

"In some ways, it may be worse." (Additional reporting by Dondi Tawatao, Romeo Ranoco, Enrique de Castro and Ronn Bautista; Writing by Manuel Mogato and Martin Petty; Editing by Catherine Evans)</s>Thousands of protesters marked Thursday's anniversary of the 1972 declaration of martial law by late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos with an outcry against what they say are the current president's authoritarian tendencies and his bloody crackdown on illegal drugs.

Hundreds of riot police were deployed to secure the marches and rallies, among the largest against President Rodrigo Duterte since he took power last year, although a new survey by the Washington-based Pew Research Center showed the president and his anti-drug campaign are widely popular in the Philippines.

Pro-Duterte followers also staged rallies in Manila. The rival demonstrations reflected deepening divisions sparked largely by the president's brutal anti-crime style.

Duterte warned he will use force or expand nationwide his declaration of martial law in the country's south if the anti-government protesters threatened public order. In May, he placed the southern third of the largely Roman Catholic nation under martial law to deal with a siege by pro-Islamic State group militants in southern Marawi city that has dragged on for nearly four months.

Marcos' martial law era, which ended in 1981, was marked by massive human rights violations and muzzling of civil liberties.

"This is the worst administration I have seen," Marina Maulawin, a 74-year-old retired teacher, said of Duterte's presidency. "He's like a madman," she said at the main opposition rally.

A Catholic nun, Sister Mary John Mananzan, expressed relief that more people were starting to stand up against government abuses. "I am happy that we are all here because I can see that just as fear is infectious, courage is also infectious," she said on stage at the opposition rally.

The left-wing group Karapatan accused Duterte of using "narratives and tactics straight out of Marcos's playbook of repression, repeating and justifying rights violations, with increasing frequency and intensity."

Freddie Olase, a 53-year-old driver, joined a few thousand Duterte supporters in a rally in a square beside the popular Quiapo Catholic church.

"What we need is an iron fist," Olase said, expressing support for Duterte's anti-drug campaign. "I now feel safer when going home in our community and my grandchildren can play outside the house even at night."

Duterte warned protesters not to break the law. "I will not hesitate to use force even if it would mean my downfall as president of this country, remember that," Duterte said Friday on state TV.

Waving red flags and carrying placards that read "Stop the Killings," left-wing groups gathered in three areas of Manila, including a bridge leading to the presidential palace. They assembled later at a park by Manila Bay for the main protest.

Another group of protesters staged a separate rally at the Commission on Human Rights, which has been repeatedly denounced by Duterte for raising an alarm over his campaign against illegal drugs that has left thousands of suspects dead.

Duterte's allies in the House of Representatives initially voted to reduce the commission's annual budget to 1,000 pesos ($20) but reconsidered the decision late Wednesday amid an outcry and after the human rights chief met congressional leaders.

U.S. and European Union officials, along with the United Nations and human rights groups, have expressed alarm over Duterte's anti-drug campaign, sparking expletives-laden outbursts from the president. The unorthodox president, however, has remained popular in his crime-weary country, helped by his common-guy demeanor and populist rhetoric.

Duterte said Wednesday he has ordered law enforcers to kill his own children, two of whom serve as mayor and vice mayor of his southern home city, if they're found to be involved in illegal drugs.

"You can just kill them so the people can't say anything," Duterte said.

The Pew Research Center survey released Thursday showed Duterte and his campaign against illegal drugs are supported by most Filipinos, with 86 percent having a favorable view of Duterte and 78 percent supporting his handling of the drug problem.

"Despite international concerns leveled by various governments regarding Duterte's controversial clashes with drug cartels and potential human rights violations, the Filipino leader and his policies are widely popular," Pew said.

It said face-to-face interviews of 1,000 adult Filipinos were conducted between Feb. 26 and May 8 in the nationwide survey, which had a margin of error of 4.3 percentage points.</s>President Rodrigo Duterte has no plans to declare martial law nationwide amid growing protests against his administration’s war on drugs, alleged extrajudicial killings, and military rule in Mindanao, Malacañang said on Thursday.

In a television interview, Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte declared Thursday as a national day of protest to allow the people to express their grievances as part of their constitutional rights.

“Again and again, he has said that that is not the road we are going to take. He only said that he’s allowing the protest, as long as these do not lead to violence and destruction of property, in which case the response will be firm,” Abella said in an interview with GMA News.

“But if people are speculating that martial law is in the works, no,” the Palace official added.

On Saturday, September 9, Duterte warned that he would impose martial rule in the entire country, if communist rebels bring their insurgency to the streets.

But Abella said the President had been trying to reach out to the communist group.

“In fact, from the beginning, the President has tried to reach out to just about everybody, left to right. And again, he has a rainbow Cabinet, including left, including right, top to bottom,” Abella said.

Duterte placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law on May 23 after Islamic State-inspired terrorists from the Maute group laid siege to Marawi City.

He vowed to be harsh against terrorists, even claiming that the martial law he had imposed would be no different from the one declared by former president Ferdinand Marcos, whose presidency was tainted by human rights violations.

On Tuesday, the President signed Proclamation 319, declaring September 21 as a National Day of Protest.

 Duterte said the proclamation was “in solidarity with the people’s call against all excesses and shortcomings of the government and with the people’s desire to uphold the highest standards of integrity, efficiency and accountability in government.”

The declaration coincides with the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of Martial Law under Marcos.

In a statement, Abella said allowing Thursday’s protest actions were a “healthy exercise of democracy.”

“Today, September 21, the nation observes its first National Day of Protest, when people from all walks of life and persuasion can freely hold marches, demonstrations, public assemblies, and all forms of mass action to express their grievances against perceived or actual excesses and/or shortcomings of the government,” Abella said.

“This is also an opportune time for those in the government to hear the voice of the governed as part of our efforts to uphold the highest standards of good governance. The event is a healthy exercise in democracy,” he added.

Pro- and anti-Duterte rallyists gathered in Manila to express their sentiments on various issues on Thursday.

 In Plaza Miranda, close to 500 pro-Duterte rallyists occupied the open area fronting Quiapo Church before noon where a stage was set up.

Organizer Benny Antiporda, a director of the board of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, said close to 50,000 people were expected to attend the program at 2 p.m.

“Our protesters are composed of supporters of the President from North, South and Central Luzon, particularly members of the Kilusang Pagbabago (Change Movement), PDP-Laban Party, Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Friends of Rodrigo Duterte, Luzon Watch, and various local governments,” said Antiporda.

Antiporda said martial law in Mindanao was doing well and people there were happy since peace and order has improved.

“Before people in Mindanao walk with guns tucked in their waists. Now, you can’t see them anymore. It’s a big

 change,” said Abdulrashid Ladayo, a Muslim and native of Mindanao.

Ladayo said September 21 was supposed to commemorate the 1972 declaration of Martial Law, which was very different from the martial law declared by President Rodrigo Duterte in Mindanao.

“The Duterte martial law is not abusive. It aims to flush out the terrorists, particularly the Maute group and their minions,” he told The Manila Times.

“We are here to support the anti-drug campaign of the President. We need to save this country from drug addiction,” said Randy Sionzon, Barangay Kalalake chairman and president of the village chiefs of Olongapo City (north of Manila) who came to Plaza Miranda together with 165 Duterte supporters in three buses.

The Quiapo Police Community Precinct said 100 of their personnel were tasked to secure Plaza Miranda.

Meanwhile, anti-Duterte protesters converged on España Boulevard fronting the University of Santo Tomas (UST) at about 10 a.m. before proceeding to Mendiola or the Chino Roces Freedom Bridge.

Other militant groups like Bayan Muna and worker and student groups occupied Mendiola early Thursday morning. They proceeded to Roxas Boulevard in front of the Rizal Monument.

“We are here to send our message to the government that we are against the phaseout of jeepneys. We are poor jeepney drivers, we can’t afford to buy new units,” Piston President George Mateo said.

Piston, whose members arrived at about 7 a.m. in Mendiola, was also protesting oil deregulation.

“This is really an anti-Marcos, we’re also not pro-Duterte. We are pro-democracy, pro-freedom, pro-human rights and social justice. We stand for socialism,” Rasti Delizo, national coordinator of Laban ng Masa, said

 The group then proceeded to the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City to join iDefend in a rally at 2 p.m.

About 200 unarmed policemen were deployed in Mendiola to ensure peace and order.

 Meanwhile, police augmentation forces were on standby at the US Embassy.

“US embassy and other diplomatic missions are ‘no rally zones’ and are non-negotiable,” PNP spokesman Dionardo Carlos.

In line with PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa’s directive, police were told to observe “maximum tolerance.”

 Supt. Restituto Archangel said the more than 1,000 policemen, including a SWAT team and bomb disposal unit, came from various cities in Metro Manila.

The Manila Police District (MPD) alone deployed about 1,000 police officers in Plaza Miranda, Mendiola, and Rizal Park, according to Supt. Erwin Margarejo, MPD spokesman.
Coinciding with the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in 1972 by the late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, nationwide protests are conducted by various groups against the government's implementation of war on drugs and the ongoing martial law in the whole of Mindanao under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.