Thousands of people gathered at a public park in Manila on Sunday (September 21) in a mass protest against the perceived corruption over the government's infrastructure projects.

Allegations of mismanagement of the government's flood control projects have been in the spotlight in recent months during the country's monsoon season, which has inundated towns and cities despite spending over 545 billion pesos ($9.54 billion) on flood control since 2022.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has supported the protests and has ordered an independent investigation into the alleged anomalies in the infrastructure projects.

The protest also coincides with the 1972 anniversary of the declaration of martial law by former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., which was marked by widespread human rights abuses during his two-decade rule.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (SEPTEMBER 21, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. ACTIVISTS MARCHING WHILE CHANTING NATIONALIST SLOGANS

2. CROWD GATHERED AT LUNETA PARK

3. ACTIVISTS HOLDING VARIOUS PLACARDS WITH ANTI-CORRUPTION MESSAGES

4. PROTEST IN PROGRESS

5. MAN WAVING PHILIPPINE FLAG

6. PHILIPPINE FLAG

7. PEOPLE HOLDING VARIOUS PLACARDS AND BANNER

8. MAN WEARING CROCODILE MASK

9. PLACARD SHOWING CROCODILE, SYMBOLISING POLITICIANS

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW PATRIOTIC ALLIANCE CHAIRPERSON, TEDDY CASINO, SAYING:

"The people are very angry because they have been victims of flooding for all these years. And flooding has made their lives so difficult. And yet the discovery that all the billions of pesos that were supposed to help them, that was supposed to solve the problem have ended up lining the pockets of all these corrupt politicians, government officials and contractors."

11. ACTIVISTS HOLDING VARIOUS PLACARDS AND BANNERS

12. VARIOUS OF ACTIVISTS CHANTING NATIONALIST SLOGANS

13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW PATRIOTIC ALLIANCE CHAIRPERSON, TEDDY CASINO, SAYING:

"We are calling on (the) government to hold to account everyone who is involved in that corruption. No sacred cows, no allies. Everyone who is involved."

14. WOMAN HOLDING PLACARD IN FRONT OF INFLATABLE CROCODILE TOY

15. STUDENT ACTIVISTS CHANTING

16. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW PATRIOTIC ALLIANCE SECRETARY GENERAL, MONG PALATINO, SAYING:

"We are here to remind our people that during the anniversary of martial law, martial law was not just about authoritarian rule. Martial law enabled the plunder of our nation's wealth. Unfortunately, authoritarianism and plunder continue to plague our country. So we are here to demand action from the government. We are here to demand accountability against corrupt officials in the government."

17. FEMALE ACTIVISTS CYCLING WHILE HOLDING PHILIPPINE FLAG IN FRONT OF RIOT POLICE

18. ACTIVIST LEADER CHANTING / CROWD CHANTING

19. ACTIVISTS HOLDING PLACARDS

20. PLACARD READING (Filipino): "BRING BACK EVERYTHING YOU STOLE!"