Labor Day protest goes on despite barricades on roads off to Mendiola

⁠⁠MANILA, Philippines — The scheduled protest by various labor and progressive groups pushed through along Recto Avenue in Manila. The event rolled even as about a hundred police established barricades on roads leading to Mendiola Street— the area where the protesters originally planned to stage their Labor Day demonstration. As of 10:30 a.m.,

Protesters from many labor organizations stage demonstrations on Labor Day (May 1, 2025) in Recto, Manila. (Photo from FAITH ARGOSINO / INQUIRER.net) ⁠⁠MANILA, Philippines — The scheduled protest by various labor and progressive groups pushed through along Recto Avenue in Manila.

The event rolled even as about a hundred police established barricades on roads leading to Mendiola Street— the area where the protesters originally planned to stage their Labor Day demonstration. As of 10:30 a.m.

, thousands of youth activists and student-led groups arrived in Recto Avenue, trying to penetrate the barricade formed by the Manila Police District (MPD). Aside from their call for a wage hike, they repeatedly shouted: “Tabi! Tabi! Dadaan kami! (Move aside! Move aside! We will pass through!) Protesters from many labor organizations stage demonstrations on Labor Day (May 1, 2025) in Recto, Manila. (Photo from FAITH ARGOSINO / INQUIRER.

net) Asked why the roads were blocked, MPD Spokesperson Maj. Philipp Ines said in a Viber message that Mendiola is not among the list of freedom parks or public spaces meant for rallies and political assemblies. Earlier, the National Capital Region Police Office said it deployed over 11,200 personnel within Metro Manila to ensure public safety during Labor Day.

Protesters from many labor organizations stage demonstrations on Labor Day (May 1, 2025) in Recto, Manila. (Photo from FAITH ARGOSINO / INQUIRER.net) Before their protest, the groups began marching along España Boulevard as early as 8 a.

m. They walked through Morayta to Recto Avenue. Days before the protest, 30 labor organizations, along with Makabayan senatorial candidates, unveiled their unified labor agenda, which outlined key reforms on wages and contractualization, among others.

Protesters from many labor organizations stage demonstrations on Labor Day (May 1, 2025) in Recto, Manila. (Photo from FAITH ARGOSINO / INQUIRER.net) The group likewise reiterated their call for the implementation of a P1,200 daily national minimum wage, which was included in the labor agenda.

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