Why are there protests in the Philippines? All the information you require

Thousands of people, including Catholic priests and church workers, gathered across the Philippines on Sunday to protest against what they say is a major corruption scandal involving top government officials. In Manila's main park, another group led by left-wing organizations staged a rally calling for the resignation and prosecution of all officials connected to the scandal. The protests began after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr acknowledged widespread corruption in government-funded flood control projects.

Large sums of money were released for these projects, but many of them turned out to be badly constructed, flawed, or never constructed at all. People are upset because they think the stolen money endangers lives and because the nation frequently experiences severe weather and flooding.

Over 17,000 police officers were sent to Metro Manila to control the protests. Roads and bridges were blocked with barbed wire, trucks, and barricades, and the area surrounding the presidential palace was put under strict security.

The Philippines has a history of overthrowing presidents due to corruption, and some critics have recently proposed that the military stop supporting the Marcos government. The Philippine Armed Forces, however, vehemently denied these requests.

A statement opposing any unconstitutional action was signed by at least 88 mostly retired generals, including three former military chiefs. The armed forces are still dedicated to defending democracy, according to the military leadership.

Participants called for the imprisonment of leaders, government officials, and construction executives responsible for the dubious projects as well as an order to reimburse the money they allegedly embezzled. Fr. Flavie Villanueva, a Catholic priest, informed the audience that corruption is a moral transgression that hurts regular Filipinos in addition to being illegal. He called on the government to put "all the corrupt and all the killers" behind bars.

A number of public works department employees have been arrested for misusing funds since the president first brought attention to the problem in his annual address to Congress in July. Authorities are looking for executives from Sunwest Corp., a construction company connected to the scandal, which is also under investigation.

A former government engineer who acknowledged participating in the scheme returned 110 million pesos, or roughly $1.9 million, in kickbacks on Friday. He pledged to come back sooner.

President Marcos claims that the government has already frozen assets owned by suspects totaling roughly 12 billion pesos, or $206 million.

Many of the 37 lawmakers, wealthy contractors, and other powerful individuals connected to the scandal will be imprisoned by Christmas, according to the president's vow. However, demonstrators argue that more people should be held accountable and that arrests should occur more quickly.