Security preparations are intensifying ahead of the third “Trillion Peso March” set for February 25, as the Philippine National Police confirmed it will deploy more than 11,000 officers to oversee protests and related gatherings coinciding with the anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power uprising.
Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the nationwide security posture is aimed at ensuring peaceful and orderly assemblies, particularly along EDSA where large crowds are expected to gather.
The demonstration, organized by various civic and church-backed groups, centers on allegations of corruption linked to flood control projects — an issue that has gained renewed public attention following successive typhoons and urban flooding incidents. Organizers have framed the mobilization as both a protest and a moral appeal for transparency in public spending.
According to the Quezon City Police District, at least five groups have formally signified their intent to participate in what has been described as a two-day “prayer and indignation rally.” Activities are scheduled for February 22 and February 25 at the EDSA Shrine and the People Power Monument, two sites historically associated with civic resistance movements.
Local authorities estimate that as many as 50,000 participants could converge on each date, potentially making it one of the largest public assemblies since pandemic-related restrictions were lifted years ago.
Police officials stressed that no validated threats have been monitored in connection with the planned gatherings. Nonetheless, contingency plans include traffic rerouting, layered crowd control measures, and coordination with local government units to prevent disruptions to motorists and nearby businesses.
The timing of the march on February 25 adds symbolic weight to the protest. The date marks the anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, when mass demonstrations led to a historic political transition. By choosing the same day, organizers appear to be invoking the legacy of citizen action as a platform for accountability in present-day governance.
Authorities reiterated that the right to peaceful assembly will be respected, but warned against actions that could compromise public safety or violate existing laws. Organizers, for their part, have publicly committed to a nonviolent and faith-centered mobilization.
As Metro Manila braces for another large-scale rally along its busiest thoroughfare, February 25 is shaping up to be both a remembrance of history and a test of how institutions manage dissent in the current political climate.