PNP: No untoward incidents at Independence Day 2026 events

MANILA, Philippines — No untoward incidents were recorded at events commemorating this year’s Independence Day, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Friday.

The national police force deployed over 89,000 personnel for security measures for the 128th anniversary of Philippine independence.

“As of this hour, the localized demonstrations and public assemblies being held across the country in observance of Independence Day have remained completely peaceful and orderly, with no major untoward incidents reported,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

READ: Protester sprays paint on undercover cop in Manila rally

According to the PNP’s latest monitoring, as of 1 p.m., only one rally remained ongoing in the vicinity of the Senate with 70 participants.

Meanwhile, throughout the day, at least six rallies were held in several locations: Kalaw Avenue in Manila (500 participants); Quezon Boulevard in Manila (100 participants); Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila (50 participants); Recto Avenue in Manila (50 participants); East Avenue in Quezon City (50 participants); and in front of the National Housing Authority in Quezon City (20 participants).

“On this Independence Day, we were able to show once again that there’s really no conflict between the exercise of rights of the people and focusing on our peace and order mandate if we would just respect one another,” Nartatez maintained.

This came despite an incident at the Kalaw Avenue protest in which a rallyist was seen spraying paint at a police officer’s face.

The rallyist was supposedly vandalizing the center island along Kalaw Avenue when a police officer in civilian clothes attempted but failed to arrest him, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Nonetheless, the police officer was unharmed, the NCRPO added. /mr