Political opponents of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday turned a traditional celebration of a "People Power" uprising against dictatorship three decades ago into a protest march condemning his war on drugs.
The small political opposition and left-wing activists held separate commemorative events at the historic highway where more than a million Filipinos gathered in 1986, forcing Ferdinand Marcos and his family to flee to Hawaii after a 20-year rule.
Supporters of Duterte were due to hold a counter rally later on Saturday at a big Manila park, including a vigil backing the anti-drugs crackdown. Similar actions were planned in key cities across the country and in some capitals abroad.
The opposition warned of a possible return to authoritarian rule under Duterte, calling on Filipinos to stand up for truth and justice and demand a stop to the extrajudicial killings, which have claimed more than 7,700 lives in seven months.
"There is a president who is threatening to re-impose martial law and openly support the killings of thousand of people," staunch Duterte critic Senator Leila de Lima said in a message from her detention cell, a day after she was arrested for drug offences that she described as a vendetta. "The grim truth: in the last seven months under Duterte, there were more deaths compared to the 14 years of martial law under the Marcos regime."
Rights groups and a U.S. senator criticised Duterte for the arrest of de lima, describing it as "politically motivated" to silence his critic.
"President Duterte is effectively expanding his drug war from the urban poor to the legislative branch of government," Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. Thousands of left-wing activists marched on the main highway in Manila to demand "genuine change" promised by Duterte, calling for the resumption of peace talks with Maoist-led rebels and release of more than 400 political prisoners.
"This is particularly dangerous today when there are real efforts to rehabilitate the Marcoses and pave the way for their eventual return to Malacanang," Renato Reyes, Bayan secretary-general, said in a statement, referring to the presidential palace.
Former President Fidel Ramos and former senator Juan Ponce Enrile, hailed as the heroes of the 1986 revolt against Marcos, attended a mass at the main army base in Manila to mark the anniversary, which Duterte skipped.
Interior Minister Ismael Sueno had asked local officials to encourage supporters to join candlelight events organised by a pro-administration political movement.
Some cabinet members feared anti-Duterte protests might be used as a staging point to call for the president's ouster, although top security officials have made firm assurance about the loyalty of the army and police.
Reuters
Sat Feb 25 2017
![Philippine leader's opponents turn historic event into protest march Philippine leader's opponents turn historic event into protest march](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-02/51488013884_RodrigoDuterte.jpg)
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte raises a glass of water as he proposed a toast during the Asian Development Bank 50th anniversary in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines February 21, 2017. - Photo Reuters/Erik De Castro
AWANI Borneo [16/07/2024] – SUKMA 2024 | Sentiasa berwaspada | Pintu sempadan
AWANI Borneo Selasa, 16 Julai 2024 bersama Fauzi Zin.
- SUKMA 2024 : Nasib acara takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini.
- Ribut petir diramal di Sabah, Bomba saran penduduk berhati-hati.
- Urusan imigresen di sempadan, Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan.
- SUKMA 2024 : Nasib acara takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini.
- Ribut petir diramal di Sabah, Bomba saran penduduk berhati-hati.
- Urusan imigresen di sempadan, Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan.
![Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/51714453013_courtgavelmahkam.jpg)
Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan
Dalam penghakimannya, Che Mohd Ruzima berkata perayu gagal membuktikan bahawa Mahkamah Sesyen terkhilaf dalam memutuskan kes itu.
Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan mudahkan urusan Imigresen
Malaysia dan Brunei akan mengadakan rundingan bagi memudahkan proses keluar masuk rakyat kedua-dua negara.
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Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia
Bekas ketua jurulatih Harimau Malaya Kim Pan-gon mahu mengekalkan hubungan baik dengan skuad itu biarpun tidak lagi bersama.
Kos pampasan tanah fasa 1B proses Projek LPB Sabah RM1.2 bilion - Alexander
Anggaran kos pengambilan balik tanah bagi keseluruhan Fasa 1B proses pengambilan tanah dan penilaian pampasan tanah bagi Projek Lebuh Raya Pan Borneo Sabah (LPB Sabah) berjumlah RM1.2 bilion.
Sentiasa berhati-hati, ribut petir diramal berlaku di Sabah
Orang ramai khususnya yang tinggal di kawasan berisiko di Sabah disaran agar bersiap siaga terutama dari segi perubahan cuaca yang tidak menentu yang seterusnya akan mengakibatkan bencana banjir dan pokok tumbang.
Nasib acara sepak takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini
Nasib acara sepak takraw wanita berpasukan dalam Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) edisi ke-21 di Sarawak akan ditentukan dalam Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa SUKMA Peringkat Kebangsaan pada Khamis ini.
JPBM Sabah serah jentera khas buat pasukan sukarela
Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) negeri Sabah sedang dalam perancangan untuk menyerahkan jentera khas, iaitu Volunter Fire Rescue Tender (VFRT) untuk Pasukan Bomba Sukarela (PBS) di Sabah.
Sarawak akan pertahan pingat sukan Muay Thai edisi lalu
Skuad Sarawak akan berusaha mempertahankan masing-masing dua emas, perak dan gangsa dalam kejohanan SUKMA yang dimenangi dalam edisi lalu.
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Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi
FAM pernah berusaha memujuk Kim Pan-gon untuk terus mengemudi skuad Harimau Malaya hingga kontraknya tamat secara rasmi pada akhir tahun depan.
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Taufan Noru: Filipina henti sementara perkhidmatan awam, tutup sekolah
Hampir 8,400 orang telah dipindahkan dari laluan Taufan Noru yang dilihat semakin lemah dengan angin berkelajuan 175 kilometer sejam.
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Bekas Presiden Filipina Fidel Ramos meninggal dunia
Bekas Presiden Filipina, Fidel Ramos, yang memerintah antara 1992 hingga 1998, meninggal dunia hari ini pada usia 94 tahun, lapor laman berita dalam talian Rappler, yang memetik anak saudaranya.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-03/61648036783_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah antara yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Krisis makanan: Presiden baharu Filipina janji tingkat pengeluaran bijirin Krisis makanan: Presiden baharu Filipina janji tingkat pengeluaran bijirin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-07/41656981200_FerdinandMarcosJr.jpg)
Krisis makanan: Presiden baharu Filipina janji tingkat pengeluaran bijirin
Filipina merupakan pengimport beras kedua terbesar di dunia dan kini berada pada kedudukan yang tidak menguntungkan dalam bekalan makanan.
![Agong zahir ucapan tahniah kepada Presiden Filipina, Marcos Jr Agong zahir ucapan tahniah kepada Presiden Filipina, Marcos Jr](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-07/51656662446_TBferdinand.jpg)
Agong zahir ucapan tahniah kepada Presiden Filipina, Marcos Jr
Seri Paduka menzahirkan harapan agar Malaysia dan Filipina dapat terus bekerja rapat bagi membawa kemajuan dan kemakmuran.
![Marcos Jr angkat sumpah Presiden Filipina yang baharu Marcos Jr angkat sumpah Presiden Filipina yang baharu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-06/51656568950_FredinanmarcosJr.jpg)
Marcos Jr angkat sumpah Presiden Filipina yang baharu
Beliau menggantikan Duterte yang terkenal dengan kempen memerangi dadah sehingga menyebabkan ribuan pengedar dadah mati dibunuh di negara itu.
![Pilihan Raya Presiden Filipina: Marcos Jr menang bergaya Pilihan Raya Presiden Filipina: Marcos Jr menang bergaya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-05/71652144598_PhilippinesElection.jpg)
Pilihan Raya Presiden Filipina: Marcos Jr menang bergaya
Pengiraan tidak rasmi menunjukkan Marcos Jr, lebih dikenali sebagai Bongbong, telah melepasi 27.5 juta undi yang diperlukan.
![Jangan jadi seperti Imelda Marcos, kata SPRM Jangan jadi seperti Imelda Marcos, kata SPRM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-04/61618848591_imeldamarcos.jpg)
Jangan jadi seperti Imelda Marcos, kata SPRM
Rakyat di negara ini diingatkan supaya tidak mengagungkan individu yang mempunyai kesalahan rasuah seperti yang pernah berlaku di Filipina.
![Set barang kemas Imelda Marcos akan dijual Set barang kemas Imelda Marcos akan dijual](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-06/51559407002_barangkemas.jpg)
Set barang kemas Imelda Marcos akan dijual
Koleksi barang kemas termasuk berlian 25 karat yang nilainya mencecah AS$5 juta (kira-kira RM21 juta) dirampas di Hawaii di mana Ferdinand dan Imelda tinggal dalam buangan.