Protesters call for Duterte to step down as Philippine president defends his drug war policies

More than 1,000 people took to the streets of Manila on July 26, 2021, calling for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to step down. The rally took place ahead of Duterte’s sixth and final State of Nation Address, during which the leader defended his policies including his controversial war on drugs that has killed thousands of people. Duterte, who has been accused of human rights violations and mishandling the pandemic, is expected to step down after his six-year term ends in June 2022.