Thousands of protesters filled EDSA in the Philippines on Feb. 25 to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1986 People Power uprising, turning the historic highway once again into a stage for dissent and remembrance.
Banners calling to end corruption, political dynasties, and impunity stretched across the crowd as various civic groups gathered near the EDSA Shrine and the People Power Monument.
Police deployed hundreds of anti-riot officers who formed lines to block one of the mobilizations from advancing, citing the absence of a government permit.
The heavy presence triggered a confrontation, though organizers continued their program after negotiations and repositioned their stage along the highway.
Church leaders, activists, students, and sectoral groups framed the anniversary as both remembrance and a renewed call to action.
As speakers invoked the legacy of 1986, protesters carried placards demanding accountability and structural reform, reflecting ongoing debates over corruption, inequality, and human rights in the country four decades after the uprising that restored democracy.
All photos by Jire Carreon
