Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Members of the Trillion Peso March Movement, alongside religious groups and political leaders, march from the EDSA Shrine to the People Power Monument today, February 25, 2026. Marking the 40th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution, the group is calling for systemic reforms and accountability. The gathering honors the historic peaceful uprising while renewing calls to end corruption and political dynasties.Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

EDSA People POwer Revolution-40 years

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177207856816120260225-edsa-people-power-40-years-march-MT14.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Members of the Trillion Peso March Movement, alongside religious groups and political leaders, march from the EDSA Shrine to the People Power Monument today, February 25, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News<br/></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Thursday stood firm on the arrest of two individuals following a clash with authorities during the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution in Quezon City.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/25/2-arrested-after-clash-with-police-at-edsa-people-power-commemoration-1734">2 arrested after clash with police at EDSA People Power commemoration</a></div><p>The two protesters were arrested after they allegedly threw rocks at police officers and caused a disturbance along the southbound lane of EDSA leading to the EDSA Shrine.</p><p>Nartatez said police personnel deployed in the area were under strict instructions to observe maximum tolerance, as various groups gathered to mark the historic uprising that restored democracy in 1986.</p><p>“Our protocols are clear: we exercise maximum tolerance. However, when our personnel are physically assaulted or when the safety of the public is at risk, we must act to restore order,” Nartatez said in a statement.</p><p>“Ang pag-aresto ay ginawa ayon sa batas. Kung may nagamit mang pwersa, it was only the minimum amount necessary to subdue the individuals and prevent further injury to both the protesters and our officers,” he added.</p><p>The PNP earlier clarified that officers on the ground were not preventing the rally from proceeding and had only asked protesters to limit their occupation to one lane to avoid traffic congestion along EDSA.</p><p>At least three police officers sustained minor injuries, including bruises and cuts, during the incident.</p><p>The two arrested individuals are facing charges of direct assault, resistance and disobedience to a person in authority, alarm and scandal, and violation of the Public Assembly Act.</p><p>Addressing criticism from some sectors that the arrests violated human rights, Nartatez maintained that the PNP respects the public’s right to free speech and peaceful assembly.</p><p>“Kailangang tandaan, your rights end when violence begins. Human rights do not include the right to assault police officers or cause a public disturbance. We are not arresting them for their beliefs. We are arresting them for specific violations of the law,” he said.</p><p>Meanwhile, the PNP reported that the overall commemoration on Wednesday, February 25, including the so-called “Trillion Peso March Rally,” proceeded peacefully with no untoward incidents recorded.</p><p>An estimated 8,750 participants joined various peaceful activities nationwide.</p><p>The PNP deployed around 14,000 personnel to oversee security and monitoring operations.</p><p>The PNP chief also expressed gratitude to police personnel, partner agencies, and local government units for their cooperation in ensuring a safe and orderly commemoration.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4_6UVuwhTxM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The two protesters were arrested after they allegedly threw rocks at police officers and caused a disturbance along the southbound lane of EDSA leading to the EDSA Shrine.</p>

The two protesters were arrested after they allegedly threw rocks at police officers and caused a disturbance along the southbound lane of EDSA leading to the EDSA Shrine.

'Ayon sa batas': PNP defends arrest of 2 during EDSA 40th anniversary rites

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'Ayon sa batas': PNP defends arrest of 2 during EDSA 40th anniversary rites

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 26, 2026 12:05 PM PHT

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PNP

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