Asia

Protesters mark Philippine revolt by condemning killings

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Protesters clench their fists while displaying a black banner to protest last year's hero's burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos as they mark the 31st anniversary of the near-bloodless People Power revolt that ousted the Marcoses from 20-year-rule of the country Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in suburban Mandaluyong city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte, who expressed his support for the Marcoses, skipped the celebration, the first time by a sitting president. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Protesters display placards during a rally at the Heroes Cemetery to protest the hero's burial accorded the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos as the nation marks the 31st anniversary of the People Power revolution that toppled the Marcoses from 20-year-rule Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in suburban Taguig city, east of Manila, Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte, who expressed his support for the Marcoses, skipped the celebration, the first time by a sitting president. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

A protester displays her message during a rally at the Heroes Cemetery to protest the hero's burial of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos as the nation marks the 31st anniversary of the People Power revolution that toppled the Marcoses from 20-year-rule Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in suburban Taguig city, east of Manila, Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte, who expressed his support for the Marcoses, skipped the celebration, the first time by a sitting president. The banner reads: Block Dictatorship!(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Hundreds of left-wing and pro-democracy activists have marked the anniversary of the 1986 revolt that ousted Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos to warn about the current president's dictatorial tendencies and condemn his decision to allow Marcos to be buried at a heroes' cemetery.

More than 1,000 activists from different groups converged Saturday at the "people power" democracy shrine along the highway in Manila where millions of Filipinos massed up 31 years ago in a largely peaceful uprising to oust Marcos. His ouster ended a presidency marked by massive corruption and human rights violations.

The government commemoration of the revolt Friday was austere compared to past years and was not attended by President Rodrigo Duterte, who allowed Marcos to be buried in a heroes' cemetery in November, sparking an outcry.