Luneta rallyists given 15 minutes to hold protest action

Some rallyists who arrived early at Rizal Park (Luneta) on Sunday, November 30, were initially prevented by police from setting up their equipment. They were eventually given 15 minutes to hold their anti-corruption protest program.

Police said the group had no rally permit, according to a report by GMA Integrated News reporter EJ Gomez.

The cops said they were just following orders to implement the "no permit, no rally" policy.

Trucks bearing the rallyists' equipment were initially barred from unloading their gear.

A commotion then occurred between rallyists and members of the Manila Police District (MPD) who were preventing rallyists from setting up their equipment, Super Radyo dzBB reporter Manny Vargas said.

Nagkaroon ng mainit na komprontasyon ang ilang nagtipon-tipon sa Luneta at mga pulis matapos pigilan ng Manila Police District ang tangkang pagbaba ng grupo sa kanilang sound system at iba pang gamit para sa kilos-protesta ngayong araw, Nobyembre 30. | via Manny Vargas, DZBB/GMA… pic.twitter.com/4EDWhUprBP

— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) November 29, 2025

The National Capital Region Police Office earlier said permits or clearances from the Manila local government unit and the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) are needed for those intending to hold a protest action at Luneta.

Bayan issued a statement blasting police for blocking their protest preparations for the Baha sa Luneta 2.0 rally.

"This is clearly intended to sabotage the protest, discourage people from joining the rally, and suppress the demand to make Marcos Jr accountable for the large scale corruption in the government," Bayan said.

"Today's protest is coordinated with both the Manila LGU and MMDA," Bayan said.

"We believe the ongoing attempt to derail the Luneta protest is linked to the overkill, unnecessary, disproportionate, and paranoid security preparations around the vicinity of Recto, Mendiola, and Malacañang" it added.

"Bayan dares the police and the Marcos Jr government to tell the people who will mass up in front of Rizal monument that protesting against corruption is not allowed. We challenge them to announce that holding protests is disallowed during Bonifacio Day," the group said.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno meanwhile said it is not objecting to the holding of a protest rally, but Roxas Boulevard is under the MMDA's jurisdiction, and Luneta under the NPDC.

"LGU Manila interposes no objection to the protest rally. We will provide the same assistance (traffic, garbage and emergency medical assistance) as we did during the September 21 rally and the November 16-18 peace rally," the mayor said in a statement.

"However, Roxas Blvd is under the jurisdiction of the MMDA, and Luneta is under the NPDC. They should coordinate directly with them. That was our advice to the rally organizers in a meeting held in the city hall last November 25, 2025," he said.

"No rally permit is needed from any local or national agency for Liwasang Bonifacio, as it is a Freedom Park," Moreno said.

MPD Station 5 station commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Alfonso Saligumba said they will give ample time — 15 minutes —to the group to hold their protest action, according to a report by Manny Vargas of Super Radyo dzBB.

After the 15 minutes are up, the group may leave the area or transfer to Liwasang Bonifacio, a freedom park where protests can be held without permit.

The group then held a short program at Km. 0 or the Rizal Monument at Luneta, with performers, sound system, and placards.

Some of the placards held signs calling for the resignation of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. —KG, GMA Integrated News