Human rights defenders protested at the Mandaluyong Police Headquarters in Mandaluyong City on February 26 and 27 to demand the release of two activists arrested on February 25. The two were arrested during a march from EDSA-Ortigas to the EDSA Shrine marking the 40th EDSA Uprising anniversary.

Arrested were Edel Parducho of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates and Three Odeña of the Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (Spark). They were charged with resistance and disobedience to a person in authority, direct assault, tumults and other disturbance, violation of Batas Pambansa 880, and physical injuries.

Human rights defenders insisted that the arrests were illegal and the charges baseless. They said police violence was a grave violation of basic rights to peaceful assembly and free expression, and ran counter to the spirit of the EDSA Uprising.

Anakbayan expressed support for the arrested activists. “The Marcos dictatorship’s legacy remains even after 40 years. This government still treats people demanding accountability as enemies, while coddling thieves who should be behind bars,” Anakbayan said.

Confronting police brutality, Anakbayan said the Marcos regime is mistaken in thinking it can suppress the people’s growing resistance. “In pursuit of the great goal of freedom and forging a system that truly serves the people, the people’s power will continue to rumble—not only on EDSA but on every major street and in every corner of the countryside,” it said.