Anti, pro Duterte groups rally simultaneously in Mendiola
Huge crowd of protesters gather in Mendiola before proceeding to Luneta.-INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
Two rallies were held at Mendiola in Manila on Thursday but with different chants — one condemning the Duterte administration and the other supporting the government.
Thousands of anti-Duterte protesters positioned infront of the Mendiola Peace Arch extending to the CM Recto Avenue.
Protesters came with placards condemning Duterte’s war on drugs and alleged human rights abuses under his administration.
“Wakasan ang martial law! Biguin at labanan ang panunumbalik ng diktaturya!” reads one of the streamers in the rally.
The protesters also reenacted a scene where an alleged victim of Duterte’s drug war was seen dead on the street.
Reenactment of an alleged victim of President Duterte’s war of drugs. NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.NET
Inside the Mendiola arch, pro-Duterte supporters also hold a program where the President’s supporters speak before the crowd, mostly wearing orange shirts and caps with the name of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada printed on it.
Pro-Duterte supporters wearing orange “Erap” t-shirts also here in Mendiola to express support for President Rodrigo Duterte. NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.NET
Police Senior Inspector Leonardo De Guzman, Police Community Precint Commader said the anti-Duterte protesters were estimated at 5,000 while the crowd at the pro-Duterte rally was at 3,000 as of 3 p.m.
De Guzman said the rally has been generally peaceful so far. /je
Huge crowd of protesters gather in Mendiola before proceeding to Luneta.-INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
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