More protests in Manila over alleged ill-treatment of illegals
MANILA - Dozens of demonstrators thronged the Malaysian embassy here today for the third consecutive day to protest alleged mistreatment of Filipino illegal immigrants in Malaysia.
The demonstrators from various activist and local Muslim groups stomped on Malaysian flags, burned them and shouted slogans condemning the purported harsh treatment of the mostly-Muslim Filipino illegal migrants in holding centres in Malaysia's Sabah state.
Policemen prevented the demonstrators from entering the embassy compound in the Makati financial district. The rallyists held placards declaring "Stop injustice and oppression" and "We condemn Malaysian authorities."
Manila earlier this week filed a diplomatic protest with Kuala Lumpur over the alleged mistreatment of illegals but legislators and politicians wanted the government to downgrade ties with the neighbour.
Thousands of illegal immigrants have arrived in the southern Philippines in recent days following the August 1 implementation of tough Malaysian laws against illegals, including a mandatory six-month jail term and up to six strokes of the cane for those convicted.
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