ILOILO City – Around 2,000 Ilonggos filled Bonifacio Drive in front of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on Tuesday to mark the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, turning the historic commemoration into a peaceful but pointed protest against rising oil prices, corruption, and governance concerns.
The gathering, which began at approximately 1:15 p.m., drew members of progressive organizations such as Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Gabriela, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – Panay, and Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCRB), who used the occasion to air sectoral grievances four decades after the 1986 uprising that toppled a dictatorship.
Iloilo City Police Office spokesperson Police Major Shella Mae Sangrines said authorities ensured the activity remained orderly from start to finish.
“The activity remained generally peaceful from start until monitoring time, and we recorded no significant incident,” she said, adding that continuous coordination between organizers and law enforcement contributed to orderly crowd movement and program flow.
Police personnel were strategically deployed around the Provincial Capitol area and along major thoroughfares to secure the venue and manage traffic, balancing public safety with the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
After speeches from sectoral leaders and activists, including Raul Manuel and other representatives, participants marched toward Jaro Cathedral at around 3:40 p.m., with police maintaining visibility along the route.
Authorities said they will continue to closely monitor public gatherings while respecting democratic expression, particularly during events marking the EDSA anniversary./PN
