Philippines protests over flood-control graft amid arrests

Thousands of Filipinos took to the streets on Sunday to denounce alleged corruption in state flood control projects, staging large rallies at Luneta Park and along the EDSA highway in Manila while sporadic clashes elsewhere in the capital left scores arrested and dozens of police injured, officials and witnesses said. The demonstrations coincided with the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law and drew students, church leaders, militant groups and other citizens angered by revelations of so‑called ghost infrastructure contracts.

Organizers and police gave differing estimates of attendance. The Philippine National Police put turnout across the country at about 61,000, city officials said nearly 50,000 gathered at Luneta by midday, and organizers expected tens of thousands at EDSA, site of the 1986 people power uprising. Protesters also marched in cities and provinces from Cebu to Bicol and Western Visayas, reflecting nationwide discontent, organizers said.

The protests were prompted by disclosures this year that thousands of flood control projects, funded by state coffers since 2022, may be substandard, undocumented or never built. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr....