HISTORY OF PROTESTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

OVERVIEW

The Philippines has a long and rich history of protest stretching as far back as our revolution against our Spanish colonizers and continuing into the modern era. And almost as long as there have been protests, there has been repression of the people’s voices and harassment by state forces. However, Filipinos persevere in calling for change in the country. 

Colonial era to american period

Union Obrera Democratica de Filipinas to HUKBALAHAP

One of the earliest recorded protests in the Philippines was a massive rally staged by the first workers’ union in the country, the Union Obrera Democratica de Filipinas, which called for an eight-hour workday and the recognition of May 1 as a public holiday. Over 100,000 people attended, and members of the group were arrested and harassed even in the succeeding months. 
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martial law

MARCOS SR. ERA 

The Lapiang Malaya movement formed in the 1940s and was part political, part religious organization. In May 1967 their leader called on then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos to resign so a government formed of their movement could take over. More than 500 members gathered at their headquarters along Taft Avenue in Pasay City in what began as a peaceful demonstration.
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EDSA

PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION 

In EDSA and cities all over the country, millions of Filipinos showed exemplary courage and stood against, and peacefully overthrew, the dictatorial regime of President Ferdinand E. Marcos. 
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POST-EDSA ERA 

Protesting didn’t end with the fall of the dictatorship.

Nor did the violent dispersals. Less than a year after EDSA People Power, farmers flooded the streets demanding genuine agrarian reform.
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million people march

Abolition of the “Pork Barrel”

What started as a Facebook post turned into a rallying cry against corruption and culminated with 100,000 people in Manila and more in other cities.
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sonagkaisa

Protesting during a pandemic

Even the COVID-19 pandemic was not enough to stifle the spirit of protest in the Filipnos.
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