Thousands of critics and supporters of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday held rival rallies in a national day of protest. Duterte said the day would give people a chance to protest and voice their opinions. Our correspondent Barnaby Lo reports from Manila.

 

BARNABY LO MANILA It is the 45th year of the day former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law, and Filipinos are remembering it through a National Day of Protest. As you can see behind me, thousands of people have gathered to protest not only what they say are signs that martial rule could be creeping back under the rule of President Rodrigo Duterte, but more so, the thousands of killings that have happened in the name of the president's war on drugs.

 

DIOHANNA TIONGSON PROTESTER I am all for the drug war, but not like this - not with killings left and right. It's painful for me as a mother and as a human being. What's terrifying is that the next victim could be your child.

 

BARNABY LO MANILA On most days, protests here in Manila are organized by left-wing activists but protesters behind me come from different sectors - there are leftists, students, Catholic groups, artists, and so on and plain citizens who say they can't take the killings and the lack of due process anymore. Protesters here also say Duterte and his allies are stifling free speech and dissent. They cite the $20 budget for the Commission on Human rights that was almost approved if not for the public outrage. But, they say they're not calling for President Duterte's resignation.

 

TEDDY CASINO PROTEST LEADER The issue is very clear. One, we want a stop to the killings. And so we want the president to basically order the Philippine National Police to stop engaging in extrajudicial killings, and for the president to stop condoning or even rewarding police officials who are involved in these killings.

 

BARNABY LO MANILA Now it must be said that the protest here and similar ones elsewhere in the country are being matched by demonstrations in support of President Duterte. Based on the most recent surveys, he remains very popular among Filipinos and the counter-demos in support of the president are also well-attended. In another public square in this city, according to police, thousands have also gathered to express their support for Duterte and his programs. Many Filipinos do feel that yes, there are killings but it is criminals that are mostly being eliminated and that as a result, they feel that the Philippines has become safer. Barnaby Lo, CGTN, Manila.