Anger over mismanaged multi-billion-dollar flood control projects has sparked street unrest in Manila

Almost 50,000 people took to the streets of the Philippines capital, Manila, on Sunday to protest against rampant corruption in the country. The rally was marred by scuffles between the demonstrators and law enforcement officers.

The protest took place amid public anger over the mismanagement of thousands of flood-control projects in the country, that cost more than $9.5 billion. In July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. established an independent commission to investigate what he called “anomalies” during their construction.

The protesters at Manila’s Luneta Park waved national flags and chanted “Jail them!” as they demanded the prosecution of both officials and entrepreneurs involved in the alleged corrupt schemes.

Violence broke out during the rally as protesters began throwing stones at officers and setting tires on fire. The police later deployed a water cannon to disperse the crowd.

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Several officers were wounded during the scuffles and required hospitalization, according to Manila’s mayor. More than a dozen demonstrators were detained.