Protest against US “interference” marks Filipino-American Friendship Day

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Anti-riot police await the arrival of protesters near the US Embassy in Manila. Picture by DZBB Super Radyo, via Twitter

Militant groups marked Filipino-American Friendship Day — July 4 — with a protest outside the US Embassy in Manila.

Today’s protest, which also coincided with the USA’s Independence Day, was in opposition to American “interference” in Philippine affairs.

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Tension mounted at the corner of Mabini Street and UN Avenue when protesters came up against a phalanx of policemen.

According to Sam Nielsen of Super Radyo DZBB, the anti-riot police pursued a policy of “maximum tolerance”. No injuries have been reported.

At a rally on UN Avenue, speakers denounced the participation of the US military in the Marawi City crisis.

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As we have previously reported, US special forces have been offering technical assistance in the ongoing fight against Islamic State-affiliated jihadists led by the local Maute terror group.

Today, it was announced that the US had replenished the army’s stock of munitions such as rockets and bombs as the battle for Marawi continues to rage.

The protesters also criticised the interference of the US in Philippine affairs in general.

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The crowd then moved off to the Supreme Court to await the High Court’s decision on the legality of the imposition of martial law in Mindanao.

Heavy traffic has been reported along Kalaw Street up to the Roxas Boulevard area as a result of the protest.