Police in the Philippine capital arrested more than 200 individuals during clashes with masked protesters.

According to police spokesperson, despite the day beginning with largely peaceful anti-corruption demonstrations. Among those detained were at least 88 minors with a 12-year-old boy reported as the youngest.

Thousands rallied in Manila to express their outrage over a growing scandal involving fraudulent flood control projects, which are believed to have cost taxpayers billions. The scandal has implicated numerous lawmakers and led to the resignation of key congressional leaders amid ongoing investigations.

The clashes escalated as police used water canons and loud sirens against crowds of mostly young protestors throwing rocks. Multiple police vehicles were set ablaze and windows were shattered at a precinct headquarters, overshadowing the otherwise peaceful protests attended by families, activists and politicians.

Regional police spokesperson Major Hazel Asilo stated the motivations behind the actions of those arrested remain unclear and investigations are ongoing to determine whether they were part of the protest or acting independently.

The Department of Health reported that approximately 50 people were treated at a Manila hospital following the disturbances, while Major Philipp Ines confirmed that 93 police officers sustained injuries during the confrontations. The number of arrests could rise as processing continues.

Public anger over the alleged ghost infrastructure projects has intensified since President Ferdinand Marcos highlighted the issue in a July state of the nation address, following weeks of severe flooding.

The Department of Finance estimates that corruption in these projects could cost the Philippine economy up to 118.5 billion pesos($ billion) from 2023 to 2025, although Greenpeace suggests the figure may be as high as $18 billion.

As the Philippines braces for heavy flooding from Super Typhoon Ragasa, the archipelago nation, which experiences an average of 20 storms and typhoon annually, remains in a state of vulnerability, impacting millions living in disaster-prone areas.