Two protesters arrested during the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution have been released, days after being detained.
According to the group Sanlakas, youth activist Three Odeña of Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) and human rights defender Edel Parducho of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) were released after posting bail.
The two rallyists were taken into custody on February 25, 2026, during a march of thousands of protesters along EDSA-Ortigas calling for accountability for alleged corruption involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former President Rodrigo Duterte, and other officials.
The police filed charges against the two, including direct assault, resistance and disobedience to a person in authority, alarm and scandal, and violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 880, or the Public Assembly Act of 1985.
They were detained for over three days while awaiting inquest proceedings and the resolution of the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office, according to the group.
In a statement on Sanlakas, the protesters’ group condemned the arrests as “unlawful and illegal,” arguing that they reflect the government’s attempt to suppress peaceful dissent.
“Patunay ito ng pandadahas ng gobyerno para supilin ang malayang protesta. Hindi tayo titigil hangga’t hindi napapanagot ang mga mastermind ng karahasan sa hanay ng kapulisan noong Feb. 25. Imbis na korap ang arestuhin ay ang mga lumalaban sa korapsyon ang sinisikil at binubusalan!,” the group wrote on social media.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. defended the arrests, saying police only acted after some protesters allegedly attacked officers and disrupted public order.
He emphasized that the police exercised “maximum tolerance” but had to apprehend individuals who reportedly assaulted authorities. He described the use of force as minimal on both sides and said the incident involved a small, isolated group of protesters.
Despite the arrests, officials reported that the overall commemoration of the 40th EDSA anniversary remained “generally peaceful,“ with authorities emphasizing the protection of the public’s safety and the right to peaceful assembly.
