Supporters, critics of Duterte stage protest
MANILA: Thousands of supporters and critics of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte staged rallies on Thursday for and against his threat to declare a “revolutionary government”, which has fuelled fears of a looming dictatorship.
Duterte warned last month he is prepared to establish a “revolutionary government” to fend off alleged efforts to oust him. He railed against the press, European lawmakers and other critics of his drug war, which has left thousands dead and led rights groups to warn of a crime against humanity.
Duterte, who has courted Beijing while loosening his nation’s alliance with Washington, also alleged the US Central Intelligence Agency was part of a plot to destabilise him, and warned he would jail all of his opponents as well as the communist leaders.
Duterte’s critics fear the 72-year-old, who has repeatedly threatened to impose martial law, is intent on dragging the country back into dictatorship and allow himself more freedom in prosecuting his drug war .
Under anti-drug DENPASAR, Indonesia: Thousands destinations but have instead faced of foreign tourists were leaving Bali repeated flight cancellations, battles by plane on Thursday after an airport over insurance and torrential rain that shutdown sparked by a rumbling has lashed the island. volcano, but some visitors were “I have been stranded since irate at not being able to get off the Monday night,” said Australian Donna Lay.“Wehavetravelinsurance,but Indonesian island paradise sooner.
The alert level on Mount Agung remains at maximum. But a change mine doesn’t cover volcano so I’m in wind direction blew towering just living off my money. I’m covered columns of ash and smoke away from for health (insurance) but not for the airport, prompting authorities accommodation.” to re-open the island’s main Indonesian visitor Yayan was international gateway on Wednesday running out of patience. afternoon. “I have been waiting since
That opened an eagerly awaited November 27 (Monday),” said the window for some of the 120,000 man, whose flight has been cancelled tourists stranded after the surge in multiple times. volcanic activity grounded hundreds “I got no e-mail or notification of flights, sparking travel chaos and from the airline...They should have forcing the evacuation of villagers told me. I am at loss because I have to living in the mountain’s shadow. postpone my business — I have jobs
Ash is dangerous for planes as it that I need to handle.” makes runways slippery and can be More than 4,500 people have sucked into their engines. now flown out of Bali’s main airport,
“Things are gradually getting authorities said, with around 3,200 of back to normal,” said Bali airport them on international flights. spokesman Israwadi, who like many However, the airport on nearby Indonesians goes by one name. Lombok island — also a popular
But that wasn’t much comfort tourist destination — closed again on to some visitors who came to relax Thursday after ash and smoke drifted in one of the world’s top travel in its direction. — AFP his centrepiece to buy.”
“They are an excellent example for people around the world of campaign, police have said they have killed almost 4,000 “drug personalities” but human rights activists charge that thousands more have been killed by vigilantes and rogue policemen.
On Thursday, Pro-Duterte and anti-Duterte protesters, each rally numbering more than 2,000, gathered in front of the presidential palace in Manila with riot police separating them.
Both groups were largely garbed in red — the traditional Filipino colour for revolutionary movements.
The Duterte supporters waved banners saying ‘We support revolutionary government’, while the other side carried signs saying ‘Fight the Duterte dictatorship’.
The pro-Duterte crowd was allowed to stage their rally in peace, but riot police used fire hoses to drive back the anti-Duterte protesters as they tried to move closer to the palace. what can be accomplished by young Afghans if given the right support and the opportunity to excel in their