A protester holds a poster with a photo of government contractor Cezarah Discaya during an anti-corruption rally in Quezon City on Sept. 13, 2025. Two major gatherings are set in Manila and Quezon City on Sunday (Sept. 21, 2025). (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
The embassies of the United States and France have issued security alerts urging their citizens to steer clear of demonstration sites across Metro Manila, where large anti-corruption rallies are expected on Sunday.
“US citizens should avoid these demonstrations due to the potential for violence,” the US Embassy in Manila said in its Sept. 19 advisory. It also reminded Americans that “even peaceful demonstrations have the potential to turn violent without warning” and advised them to follow instructions from local authorities.
The French Embassy in Manila released a similar advisory on Friday, calling on French nationals to exercise caution.
The rallies, driven by public outrage over alleged corruption in flood-control projects, are expected to draw a wide coalition of students, church groups, civil society organizations, labor unions, and political parties. Major protest sites include Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila at 9 a.m. and the People Power Monument along EDSA, Quezon City at 2 p.m.
Authorities are preparing for the mass actions, with the Philippine National Police deploying nearly 1,000 officers from the Manila Police District and 1,400 additional personnel from the NCR Police Office. Nationwide, more than 50,000 police officers will be on duty to maintain order and assist in crowd management.
