(MENAFN) Thousands of citizens in the Philippines gathered on Sunday at two prominent public demonstrations in Metro Manila, demanding government responsibility and openness in the aftermath of two deadly typhoons that struck the nation.

Authorities plan to deploy a total of 16,433 police personnel at the two main rally sites: Rizal Park in Manila, where the religious organization Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) is holding its “Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy,” and the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City, where the United People’s Initiative (UPI) is conducting its own gathering.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is closely monitoring the large-scale demonstrations, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Dave Gomez stated on Sunday, as reported by a news agency.

“Yes, the president is monitoring today,” Gomez informed reporters, as thousands of INC supporters began their three-day protest at Rizal Park in Manila. By 11 a.m. (0300GMT), the Manila City government indicated that roughly 27,000 people were participating.

In Quezon City, the rally organized by the United People’s Initiative—a group led by retired military personnel—focuses on defending democratic principles by advocating for greater government accountability and transparency.

“There will be no political agenda at the rally in Quezon City,” UPI Secretary-General Rey Valeros told reporters, according to a media outlet.

“No politician should even speak. We will allow them, however, if they will only speak about the problems of our country, like corruption,” he added.

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