Overview
- An anti-government rally on Nov. 16 took place on a public road beside the facility that houses the Philippine military headquarters in Manila.
- A retired navy colonel took the stage and urged active-duty soldiers to join actions with protesters.
- A former uniformed chief of staff attended the event and told reporters President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should step down voluntarily.
- The protest unfolded as evidence of budgets used for apparently non-existent public works intensified political distrust and sharpened tensions between Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.
- Reports say some retired personnel have asked the armed forces to overthrow the government, heightening unease, with no confirmed defections by active-duty troops reported in these accounts.