MANILA - Thousands of protesters took to the streets in the Philippines Monday to demand better jobs, more inclusive growth and the protection of human rights ahead of President Benigno Aquino III’s state of the union address.
The demonstrators converged about two kilometres from the House of Representatives compound where riot police set up barricades.
They burned an effigy of Aquino and threw eggs at the police officers blocking the main road going to the House of Representatives.
Other protesters carried placards denouncing a counter-insurgency campaign that rights groups have alleged led to human rights abuses.