Authorities on Tuesday estimated a crowd of 6,000 people that flocked to the historic Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Quezon City to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the 1986 People Power uprising.
Many civil society and student-led organizations, as well as activist groups, participated in this year’s EDSA People Power anniversary rites across Metro Manila, despite it being declared as a working day. Some groups took it as an opportunity to air their grievances against recurring social issues.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte led the flag and wreath-laying ceremonies with officials from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) headed by chairperson Regalado Jose Jr. on Tuesday morning at the People Power Monument along EDSA corner White Plains in Quezon City.
According to NHCP senior history researcher Kristoffer Pasion, they anticipated simpler EDSA anniversary celebrations this year.
According to the Quezon City Police District, the Philippine National Police deployed 941 personnel to secure EDSA as thousands of rallyists started gathering at the area by 2:30 p.m. onwards.
