Demonstrators leave behind 1.5 tons of garbage: MMDA

FILE: MMDA (Photo: Philippine News Agency)

MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has collected 90 plastic bags of garbage during Thursday’s National Day of Protest.

Bonj Nebrija, MMDA supervising officer for operations, said the agency has hauled 1.5 tons or 5.4 cubic meters of garbage at the rally sites in Rizal Park and Mendiola in Manila as well as the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) area in Quezon City.

“Noteworthy though according to our sweepers on the ground, the rally at Plaza Miranda had their own people who cleaned and picked up the garbage during and after the event. That is why very minimal were hauled on site,” Nebrija said in a text message to reporters.

Demonstrators flocked to various rally sites in parts of Metro Manila to either support or protest against the policies of the Duterte administration as the country commemorates the 45th declaration of martial law.

The National Capital Region Police Office estimated that around 28,000 participated in the different rallies in Metro Manila — 12,000 Duterte supporters in Plaza Miranda; about 8,000 members of multi-sectoral groups in Luneta Park, more or less 3,000 pro-Duterte demonstrators and 5,000 anti-administration protesters in Mendiola.  (PNA)