EDSA Protest Tops 10,000; Full Alert Declared Across NCR and Nearby Regions
By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Security forces were placed on maximum readiness Tuesday as the crowd at the EDSA People Power Monument swelled to an estimated 10,000 protesters, prompting the Philippine National Police to raise the alert status of key police commands in and around the National Capital Region.
According to the Quezon City Police District, the number of demonstrators reached approximately 10,000 by 11 a.m., nearly nine hours after participants began converging near the historic monument.
To maintain peace and public order, police reinforced security in the area, deploying more than 1,000 personnel to safeguard rally participants, motorists, and nearby communities.
PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. announced that the National Capital Region Police Office, the police regional offices of Central Luzon and Calabarzon, as well as national support units and offices based at Camp Crame, had all been placed under full alert status to ensure immediate operational readiness.
Despite intermittent heavy rains early Tuesday, police officers remained at their posts as the demonstration continued.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government said law enforcers had been directed to exercise maximum tolerance while maintaining security and traffic management throughout the activity.
The department also appealed to participants to exercise their constitutional rights responsibly, respect the rule of law, and cooperate with authorities to keep the gathering peaceful and orderly.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority implemented temporary road closures around the rally site, including portions of the EDSA Ortigas Service Road, the Ortigas Flyover in both directions, and White Plains Avenue.
Traffic authorities reported moderate to heavy congestion along major stretches of EDSA, particularly from Scout Borromeo to the Ortigas split on the southbound lane and from Guadalupe to White Plains on the northbound lane.
The MMDA said one lane of EDSA had been occupied by vehicles parked by rally participants, contributing to the buildup of traffic. Motorists were advised to expect delays and use alternate routes whenever possible as traffic personnel continued to manage vehicle flow in the affected areas.
Authorities said they would continue monitoring the situation closely as the rally progressed, with security forces remaining on heightened alert to ensure public safety while respecting the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
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