Police Teargas Demonstrators at US Embassy in Manila

Local Editor

A rally protesting the presence of American troops in the Philippines turned violent outside the US embassy in Manila, with police using tear gas against demonstrators.

Reports claim that at least three people were run over by a police truck.

An image posted on social media showed protesters gathered outside the embassy, with reports saying they tried to seize the building.

The demonstrators are reportedly national minorities, who are pushing for an independent foreign policy for the Philippines.

One image showed the protesters holding a sign which said "No to US bases & troops."

Protests against the presence of US troops had been ongoing.

Six people were arrested in a similar protest outside the embassy last month. In June, students in Manila gathered to protest the EDCA by burning the American flag.

Despite senators voting to reject a new bases agreement in 1991, US troops had returned to the country through the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement, and had been allowed to increase their presence and use local military facilities through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement [EDCA].

The call for an independent foreign policy align with the plans of President Rodrigo Duterte, who had recently targeted the US with harsh words, over Washington's criticism of his controversial "war on drugs."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team