According to reports, the situation in the Philippines is tense, and the storm of popular protest spreads rapidly, breaking the surface of calm. It should have been a stable government, in the face of sudden public complaints, quickly into the state of "red alert", and all the military police are waiting. The source of all this is precisely a flood protection corruption scandal exposed. As the president, Marcos is now in danger, and it is inevitable that people will remember the history of his father, Ferdinand Marcos. This time, history seems to be repeating, and the political future of Marcos may therefore meet a huge test.
The anti-corruption protests in the Philippines began in August, when a corruption scandal was exposed to the media: at least 15 contractors were suspected of collusion with government officials and congressmen and would be used for the prevention of disasters to private accounts. These projects were either stolen or not built at all, and the people expected to solve the flood problems, but became a hotbed for government corruption.
The angry people of the Philippines, especially the younger generation, have issued a strong voice of resistance. The data showed that in the September protests, the proportion of young people aged 18 to 25 was as high as 63 percent. This means that the youth group in the Philippines has completely lost confidence in the government and has begun to call for thorough political reform and anti-corruption action. Young people are disappointed in the future, facing the poverty and corruption endured by their parents, and they stand out and call for social justice and transparency.
On the streets of big cities such as Manila, Cebu and Davao, tens of thousands of protesters raised angry signs, demanding that the government investigate corruption and severely punish relevant officials. Many protesters shouted the slogan "Down with corruption and hold the government accountable", and even some people began to publicly question the ability and integrity of President Marcos.
In the face of nationwide protests, Marcos clearly realized that the situation had gone beyond his control. The Philippine armed forces announced a state of "red alert" and all the military police in the country cancelled holidays and stand out at any time. A spokesman for the Philippine military made it clear that the move was intended to "help the police maintain social order" and prevent protests from getting out of control. However, for those familiar with the history of the Philippines, this emergency response reminds of the history of President Ferdinand Marcos being overthrown.
At that time, it was due to the fall of the military that the old Marcus eventually lost his presidency. Today, his son is also aware that whether the military continues to "stand" is the key to determining the fate of his regime. Therefore, Marcus had to take urgent measures to ensure the military remains loyal to him. By proclaiming the state of "red alert", Marcus is clearly preventing a possible "military change".
The shadow of the history of Marcos' father overshadowed him, especially in the history of the Philippines, where the "loyalty" of the military was often a key factor in determining the survival and death of the regime. The fall of Marcos' father was one of the most iconic political events in the history of the Philippines, and as the situation worsened, the fear in Marcos' heart increased and feared that history would repeat itself again.
As the situation continues to escalate, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has also issued a security warning for the first time.The embassy advises Chinese citizens in the Philippines to pay close attention to the local security situation, avoid demonstration venues, pay attention to crowded areas, and ensure their own safety.The rapid voice of the Chinese embassy shows the complexity of the situation and the high attention of the international community to the political crisis in the Philippines.
Clearly, with the spread of protests, not only has the situation in the Philippines become distracted, but the international community is also closely concerned about the crisis. The rapid reaction of the Chinese embassy highlighted the importance of the security of Chinese citizens in the Philippines, but also reflects the potential impact of the Philippine social unrest on neighboring countries, especially China. The Philippines is an important partner of China in Southeast Asia, and a stable Philippine regime is critical to China's regional strategy, so any changes in the situation in the Philippines can affect the diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.
In addition to the street protests, the Marcos government has also faced tremendous pressure from within politics. Vice-President Sarah Duterte’s relationship with Marcos has gradually deteriorated, and this deepening gap has undoubtedly plunged the Marcos government into a more complex political situation. Duterte has been an important supporter of the Marcos family, but recently she has publicly criticized the Marcos government’s anti-corruption initiatives and even called for a comprehensive audit. This criticism voiced Marcus’ internal affairs further into chaos.