Violent anti-Trump protests erupted in the Philippines ahead of US leader’s arrival tomorrow.
Hundreds of left-wing activists in Manila marched on the US embassy to protest US militarism.
They were blocked by police with riot shields as they chanted and held signs reading: ‘Ban Trump – Fight US Imperialist War and Plunder’.
The anti-war protesters fear Trump wants more military bases in the Philippines and will drag their country into the North Korea conflict.
Some were seen plashing black paint across a poster of Mr Trump which branded him a ‘fascist’.
Hundreds of left-wing activists in Manila marched on the US embassy to protest US militarism
They were blocked by police as they chanted and held signs reading: ‘Ban Trump – Fight US Imperialist War and Plunder’
The anti-war protesters fear Trump wants more military bases in the Philippenes and will drag their country into the North Korea conflict
The protests were mostly peaceful but violent scuffles broke out as police blocked demonstrators from getting to the US embassy.
It came as Donald Trump met Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte for the first time.
Their meeting at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam on Saturday was ‘short but was warm and cordial,’ said Duterte’s spokesman, Harry Roque.
‘The leaders were generally pleased to finally meet each other in person,’ he said. Trump told Duterte ‘see you tomorrow.’
Trump will head to Manila on Sunday for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit on the last leg of his 12-day Asian trip.
Duterte – sometimes described ‘Trump of the East’ because of his brash and mercurial style – had said on Wednesday that he would tell the US president to ‘lay off’ if he raised the issue of human rights when they met.
Protesters throw red paint to a picture of U.S. President Donald Trump during a rally against his visit in Manila
Protesters shout slogans holding portraits of U.S. President Donald Trump and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte
Protesters vandalise an image of U.S. President Donald Trump during a rally against his visit in Manila
Donald Trump (back right) met Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte (back left) for the first time as violent protests erupted on the streets of Manila ahead of his arrival tomorrow.
More than 3,900 Filipinos have been killed in what the police call self-defence in Duterte’s war on drugs. Critics say executions are taking place with zero accountability, allegations the police reject.
But Trump, who has been criticised at home for neglecting rights issues in dealings abroad, in May praised Duterte for doing an ‘unbelievable job on the drug problem’.
Human rights, rule of law and due process were among topics Trump and Duterte would likely discuss during their bilateral talks, Sung Kim, US ambassador to Manila, had said last month.
Some were seen plashing black paint across a poster of Mr Trump which branded him a ‘fascist’
Protesters smear images of U.S. President Donald Trump and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with paint during a rally against US President’s visit
Protesters push back anti-riot police officers as they try to march towards the US embassy during a rally against US President Donald Trump’s visit in Manila
Protestors scuffle with Philippine riot police as they try to march towards the US embassy