Thousands rally for and against Philippines’ Duterte

MANILA: Thousands of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's critics and supporters held rival rallies Thursday, taking emotional national debates over his deadly drug war and martial-law threats to the streets, reports AFP.

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 told AFP. 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.

Thousands rally for and against Philippines Duterte

MANILA: Thousands of Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes critics and supporters held rival rallies Thursday, taking emotional national debates over his deadly drug war and martial-law threats to the streets, reports AFP. 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 told AFP. 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.