13K cops to maintain peace and order during Trillion Peso March

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

EDSA PREPS. The National Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace-EDSA Shrine in Quezon City is being spruced up on Friday (Feb. 20, 2026) ahead of the 40th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution. The place will be the central location of the third part of the Trillion Peso March on Wednesday (Feb. 25) organized by civil society, church and progressive groups. (Photo: PNA/Facebook)

MANILA – The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will deploy 13,448 officers to secure Wednesday’s Trillion Peso March.

The figure is lower than the earlier reported 14,226 due to a “realignment” of personnel, NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said in a press briefing on Monday.

“We had a realignment of our personnel. Our personnel from the Southern Police District were reduced. Instead of bringing them to EDSA, they were just realigned to our usual law enforcement operations in the SPD area,” she said.

The NCRPO raised full alert status on Saturday afternoon ahead of the march marking the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Asilo said the Quezon City government approved three rally permits, including one from the Trillion Peso Movement for its program along White Plains Avenue near the People Power Monument.

“So what they asked was if they could come together since there was only one venue and only one stage to be used, so those who agreed to come together in the same location and on the same stage were the ones allowed,” she said.

Groups without permits will be dispersed, especially if they are “causing trouble,” she added.

To support police on the ground, the Philippine National Police will deploy 501 Quick Reaction Teams, including SWAT and EOD/K9 units and 337 traffic and route security teams.

Also on standby are 381 covert personnel, 332 mobile patrol units, 186 beat patrol officers, 246 strong points and 142 medical teams, along with drone operators, negotiators, arresting officers, legal support and administrative staff.