PNP: Labor Day 2026 protests peaceful so far

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said Labor Day protests across the country have been “peaceful’ so far, with no untoward incidents reported as of its latest monitoring.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said authorities recorded at least 19 rallies nationwide as of 10 a.m., drawing over 4,000 participants.

“Maganda po ang naging kinalalabasan ng ating initial assessment sapagkat wala pong untoward incident tayo, as of this report,” he said.

(The outcome of our initial assessment was good because we have no untoward incidents, as of this report.)

However, Super Radyo dzBB’s Christian Maño reported that two police officers received first aid treatment amid the reported tensions between the cops and rallyists.

𝗡𝗔𝗦𝗔𝗞𝗧𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗔 𝗚𝗜𝗧𝗡𝗔 𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡Dalawang pulis, binigyan ng first–aid sa gitna ng tensyon sa pagitan ng pulisya at mga raliyista sa Maynila. | via @xtian_mano pic.twitter.com/cPeBE4UT2l

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 1, 2026

Of the total number of rallies, 17 were still ongoing, while two had already concluded, Tuaño said.

These activities were monitored in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Negros Island Region (NIR), and Cordillera Administrative Region.

In Metro Manila, the PNP said participation remained below 3,000 protesters, with several gatherings already dispersing shortly after they began.

Among the large activities monitored were around 1,000 protesters who marched toward the España-Mendiola area. A Marikina rally also gathered 800 participants.

The PNP said most protests in Metro Manila proceeded without permits, except in Marikina. However, authorities maintained coordination with organizers.

Under current rules, local government units (LGUs) have two days to act on permit applications. Otherwise, they are considered approved on the third day, Tuaño said.

The PNP deployed over 106,000 personnel on standby nationwide for Labor Day, with about 14,000 deployed in Metro Manila.

Tuaño emphasized that the police continue to implement a policy of “maximum tolerance.” —AOL, GMA News