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The rally came as
President Rodrigo Duterte visits Beijing to strengthen relations
with the world's second-largest economy amid deteriorating ties
with former colonial power the United States, sparked by his
controversial war on illegal drugs.
Police made 29 arrests at the rally while at least 10 people
were taken to hospital after being hit by the police van, Renato
Reyes, secretary general of left-wing activist group Bayan
(Nation), told reporters.
The protesters were calling for the removal of U.S. troops in
the southern island of Mindanao.
"There was absolutely no justification (for the police
violence)," Reyes said. "Even as the president avowed an
independent foreign policy, Philippine police forces still act
as running dogs of the U.S."
In a series of conflicting statements, Duterte has insulted U.S.
President Barack Obama and the U.S. ambassador in Manila for
questioning his war on drugs, which has led to the deaths of
2,300 suspected users and pushers. He told Obama to "go to hell"
and alluded to severing ties with Washington.
Then, after weeks of anti-American rhetoric, Duterte said the
Philippines would maintain its existing defense treaties and its
military alliances.
The comments have left Americans and U.S. businesses in the
Philippines jittery about their future.
(Reporting by Ronn Bautista and Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by
Nick Macfie)
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