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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Groups stage Independence Day protests in Metro Manila

Groups stage Independence Day protests in Metro Manila

Published Jun 12, 2026 11:15 am  |  Updated Jun 12, 2026 01:38 pm
Marking the 128th Philippine Independence Day, various groups staged protests in Metro Manila on Friday, June 12, raising demands for national sovereignty, workers’ rights, and political reform.
In Manila, organizers said around 2,000 rally participants were expected to join the protest.
The groups were initially set to hold their program near the United States Embassy, but the activity was instead held along Kalaw Avenue after authorities prevented them from proceeding.
Police personnel and barbed-wire barricades blocked the march of protesters along T.M. Kalaw Avenue.
“Tabi-tabi, dadaan kami! (Move aside, we will pass!),” rallyists shouted as tension rose in the area.
Some protesters removed barricades along the road, while police personnel formed lines nearby to maintain order.
Rallyists carried placards bearing messages such as “Workers of the world, unite! Resist imperialist war and plunder!,” “Buwagin ang mga dinastiyang politikal! (Abolish political dynasties!),” “US imperialists!,” and “Walang tunay na kalayaan hanggang hindi na tayo kinokontrol ng imperyalista (There is no true freedom until we are no longer controlled by imperialists).”
A police officer was also seen spraying an unidentified rallyist on the head after the latter was accosted for allegedly vandalizing a concrete planter wall along Kalaw Avenue.
The rallyist allegedly wrote an offensive phrase against police on the wall.
Personnel from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office were also on standby along J.P. Laurel Street.
Members of various cause-oriented groups stage a lightning rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Makati City on June 12, 2026, Independence Day, condemning China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea and asserting the Philippines’ sovereign rights. Protesters sing the national anthem and carry placards defending Philippine waters. (Mark Balmores)
Members of various cause-oriented groups stage a lightning rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Makati City on June 12, 2026, Independence Day, condemning China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea and asserting the Philippines’ sovereign rights. Protesters sing the national anthem and carry placards defending Philippine waters. (Mark Balmores)
In Makati City, rallyists staged a protest in front of the Chinese Embassy as they condemned China’s continued aggression, harassment, incursions, and construction activities in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in Bajo de Masinloc, which is located within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
As part of the program, participants sang the Philippine National Anthem and carried placards calling for the protection of Philippine waters and national sovereignty.
“Atin ang West PH Sea! (The West PH Sea is ours!),” they said.
Some of their placards read, “China, respetuhin ang buhay at kabuhayan ng mangingisdang Pilipino sa WPS (China, respect the lives and livelihood of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea),” “Ipaglaban ang soberanya at karapatan ng Pilipinas sa WPS (Defend the sovereignty and rights of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea),” and “China ang bully sa WPS, hindi ang Pinas. China alis na! (China is the bully in the West Philippine Sea, not the Philippines. China, leave!),” among others.
They also burned an effigy symbolizing the alleged illegal structures built by China in the West Philippine Sea.

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