LIVE UPDATES: 54th anniversary of martial law declaration | Sept. 21, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – Various groups are set to hold rallies, marches and commemorative activities across the country on Monday as the Philippines marks the 54th anniversary of the declaration of martial law.

MAYOR LAMENTS VANDALISM AFTER MARTIAL LAW RALLY LOOK: Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso expressed disappointment over vandalism left on a center island along portions of Recto Avenue following activities marking the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law on Sept. 21, saying the area had been defaced with spray paint and other markings. In a social media post, Moreno stressed that while the city respects the right to free expression and peaceful assembly, protesters should not damage public property. He said the city government has been working to clean, improve, and beautify Manila for its residents and appealed for greater respect for public spaces. Thousands joined rallies and commemorative activities across Manila on Monday, with demonstrators marching to mark the Martial Law anniversary and raise various issues, including alleged corruption and governance concerns. | 📸: Domagoso/Facebook via @rajandaINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/19PF9852yc

‘SAANTO MANEN’ LOOK: Activists in Baguio City gather at the Malcolm Square for a protest commemorating the 54th anniversary of the declaration of martial law. | 📸: Kabataan Partylist Cordillera @AdrianINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/Z9Qxzpadse https://t.co/dI5sCzaYtg

LOOK: Various groups gather at the Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila on Monday to commemorate the 54th anniversary of the Martial Law declaration. They also call for accountability against issues of corruption. | 📸 Sheridan Delfino, Intern @andreagINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/19PF984uIE

WATCH: Protesters begin to disperse after holding a program along Recto Ave to mark the 54th anniversary of Martial Law declaration on Sept 21. This date also marks the second iteration of protests which began last year due to the multibillion corruption scandal involving flood control projects. | @JEMendozaINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/19PF9852yc

WATCH: Thousands of anticorruption protesters from progressive groups, who marched from Liwasang Bonifacio, arrive at Recto Ave. They intend to reach the Mendiola Peace Arch, but authorities put containers vans along the way. | @JEMendozaINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/19PF984uIE

LOOK: Authorities put containers vans along Recto Ave., blocking the way to Mendiola Peace Arch in anticipation of thousands of protesters from Liwasang Bonifacio for the Sept. 21 anti corruption protests. | @JEMendozaINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/Z9QxzpaLhM https://t.co/v3a8P58UFO

LOOK: Activists and students in Baguio City assemble at the University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio for the protest march at 5:30 p.m. to commemorate the 54th year since the declaration of martial law. | 📸: Christian Dave Ruz @AdrianINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/19PF9852yc

LOOK: Around 5,800 people have gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio as of 4:10 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, marking the 54th anniversary of the declaration of martial law. | 📷: Manila DRRMO via Manila PIO Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/Z9QxzpaLhM https://t.co/el2MdJnDfE

WATCH: Various groups gathered in front of the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Manila on Monday, Sept. 21, with different perspectives on corruption in the Philippines. | @ATacsonINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/Z9Qxzpadse https://t.co/pxDFlXDvqW

WATCH: Various progressive groups marched together along Padre Burgos Avenue in Manila toward Liwasang Bonifacio on Monday, Sept. 21. | @ATacsonINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/Z9Qxzpadse https://t.co/ENtriMiz0f

WATCH: Various groups gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Monday, Sept. 21, to mark the 54th anniversary of Martial Law and the first anniversary of last year’s anti-corruption protests over the flood control scam. | @ATacsonINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/19PF984uIE

‘THEN AND NOW, WE FILIPINOS HAVE TO RESIST.’ Sen. Risa Hontiveros called on Filipinos to keep the memory of Martial Law alive and actively challenge ongoing national issues on the 54th anniversary of its declaration, stressing that the country must learn from that "dark and shameful period" by resisting modern corruption, impunity, and poverty. | 📷: Senator Risa Hontiveros/Facebook Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/19PF984uIE

WATCH: Here is the current situation at Ayala Bridge in Manila: the PNP has placed barricades and blocked the bridge this Monday, Sept. 21. This comes one year after the Sept. 21 rally that caused a commotion between protesters and police, leaving many injured. | @ATacsonINQ… pic.twitter.com/BsfOM20tcC

'THEY HEEDED THE CALL AND WORE BLACK' LOOK: Some students of the Isabela State University – Echague wore black on Monday, Sept. 21, to mark the 54th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1972 through Proclamation 1081. Over the weekend, the… pic.twitter.com/qyfRWtBLyX

LOOK: Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel take up positions along Ayala Bridge in Manila on Monday, Sept. 21, to monitor traffic and maintain peace and order. Authorities deployed over 17,000 police officers across key Metro Manila locations as various groups held… pic.twitter.com/bgjLQRcylw