(MENAFN) Thousands of Filipinos took to the streets on Sunday in Metro Manila, urging greater government accountability and openness following two deadly typhoons that recently struck the country.

Authorities deployed 16,433 police officers across two main rally sites: Rizal Park in Manila, where the religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) held its “Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy,” and the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City, the venue for the United People’s Initiative (UPI) gathering.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was reportedly monitoring the events closely. “Yes, the president is monitoring today,” said Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez, as the INC-led three-day protest began at Rizal Park. By 11 a.m. (0300 GMT), local officials estimated around 27,000 participants in Manila.

The Quezon City rally, organized by UPI—a group led by retired military officers—focused on promoting democratic principles and calling for stricter government transparency. UPI Secretary-General Rey Valeros told reporters, “No politician should even speak. We will allow them, however, if they will only speak about the problems of our country, like corruption.”

The demonstrations follow the devastation caused by Typhoon Fung-wong and Typhoon Kalmaegi, which together killed at least 259 people, affected millions, and left 114 others missing.

Earlier in September, nationwide protests targeted alleged corruption in government, particularly regarding mass fraud in 9,855 flood-control projects valued at over 545 billion pesos ($9.5 billion). Demonstrators demanded accountability from politicians, transparency in asset declarations, and mandatory bank secrecy waivers for public officials.

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