Around 10,000 people gathered in a unified protest to mark the EDSA uprising’s 39th anniversary on February 25. The Tama Na Alliance, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, One Taft Alliance, Duterte Panagutin Network, students, workers, church people and many others joined forces in this protest.

They united to press to the Marcos regime their call against corruption and culture of impunity. Likewise, they called for the immediate ouster of Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s vice president Sara Duterte. Carrying the theme “Isabuhay ang diwa ng EDSA!” (“Carry on the spirit of EDSA!”), they extended special recognition to the historic uprising as a victory of the Filipino people who ousted the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.

Prior to this, the Marcos Jr regime delisted February 25 as a non-working holiday, and declared it a mere “special holiday” (work and classes are not suspended) in an attempt to erase this significant date from Philippine history. In response, over 70 schools suspended classes to give students, teachers and academics the opportunity to participate in various activities commemorating the uprising.

In Bicol, Bayan Muna-Camarines Sur led a gathering in Naga City. A progressive party assembly was held after which the participants marched from Barangay Igualdad covered court to Plaza Quince Martires.

In Bacolod City, various progressive groups and parties marched from Rizal Park to Bacolod City Public Plaza. In Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, a gathering was held at Silliman University under the theme “Bumalik-tanaw, Bumalikwas” (“Look back, Rise up”). SU Student Government, Dakila Dumaguete, SU Divinity School, and Kabataan Partylist-Negros Oriental organized the gathering.

In Iloilo City, groups gathered at Western Visayas State University and UP-Iloilo and marched towards the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.

In Metro Manila, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines students walked out from its campuses in Santa Mesa and Quezon City and went to EDSA. Students at UP-Diliman, University of Sto. Tomas and other universities also held gatherings before they went to EDSA.

A protest was held inside UP-Los Banos while Cavite State University students walked out.

UP-Tacloban students also walked out and launched a protest inside the campus. The protesters called for the release of the Tacloban 5, the conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte, and living out the spirit of EDSA.

At the University of Eastern Philippines in Catarman, the campus newspaper The Pillars tacked placards in front of their office to call for the fight against historical revisionism, attacks on press freedom and anti-people policies of the current Marcos regime.

In Davao City, progressive groups gathered at Freedom Park. Students and teachers also gathered and lit candles inside the Ateneo de Davao campus to carry on the spirit of EDSA, and to unite with the call for freedom, justice and peace.

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) joined in commemorating the EDSA uprising while urging the people to “bring its victories to a revolutionary conclusion.”

“The EDSA People Power uprising remains a historical moment in the Filipino people’s struggle against tyranny,” NDFP secretary general Elias Dipasupil said. It would be well to remember its lessons as tyrannical factions continue to spread their rule nationwide.

“The singular experience of EDSA’s united struggle against a dictatorship will continue to live on only if this is brought to its revolutionary conclusion, to the creation of a people’s democratic government and the realization of comprehensive social change that the people deserve and aspire for: social change with genuine agrarian reform, nationalist industrialization, real democracy and independence from imperialist control,” Dipasupil said.