Protesters have denounced the Philippines president, telling him he is not welcome, as he attends high-level international meetings in Melbourne.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
About 40 people brandishing signs and banners gathered outside the ASEAN summit at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday to oppose Ferdinand Marcos Jr's visit.
The group called for Australia to cut ties with the country, with the crowd crying "shame" as speakers detailed alleged human rights abuses.
"Stop Australian military aid to the Philippines. Stop the killings. Stop the attacks," one banner read.
The protesters carried a black cardboard coffin with "RIP Democracy" scrawled on its side.
A paper mache effigy of what appeared to be the head of Mr Marcos Jr, with a social media dog effect and a US flag as its tongue, was placed on top of the coffin.
Protesters bashed the figure with a stick as part of the demonstration.
Human Rights Watch has alleged that extra-judicial drug-related killings and the abuse of human rights defenders have continued under Mr Marcos Jr's government, following on from the previous Duterte administration.
The protesters marched toward the city - where the president was scheduled to address a Lowy Institute audience - following the rally.
Greens Senator Janet Rice appeared at the rally after being booted from the federal parliament for holding a sign saying "stop the human rights abuses" during Mr Marcos Jr's address on Thursday.
"For Marcos (Jr) to have been invited to address our parliament basically means that our government is just completely whitewashing the appalling human rights abuses that are ongoing in the Philippines," Senator Rice told protesters on Monday.
The Philippines president is in Melbourne to attend the three-day ASEAN summit alongside officials from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore and Thailand.
Australia is not a formal member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations but has been a dialogue partner for the past 50 years.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh are among the leaders attending the high-level talks hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Australian Associated Press
