Two arrested as Manila protest turns violent

A protest in the Philippine capital of Manila turned violent after clashes broke out between demonstrators and police, leaving one officer injured and two people under arrest, local media reported, citing the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Around 10,000 protesters gathered in central Manila to express support for Senator Rodante Marcoleta after the Office of the Ombudsman announced plans to file charges against him in the coming days over the alleged misuse of public funds.

The demonstrators blocked bus lanes, disrupting public transportation and causing traffic congestion in parts of the city.

Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. canceled his scheduled appearance at an event organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) to monitor the situation in Manila.