Approximately 3,000 demonstrators converged at Rizal Park in Luneta, Manila on Sunday, November 30, 2025, for the highly anticipated Trillion Peso March 2.0, a massive protest organized by labor groups demanding government accountability and workers' rights.
Workers Unite in Historic Protest
The General Alliance of Workers Association (Gawa) officially endorsed the protest, with Secretary-General Wennie Sancho delivering a powerful speech that resonated through the packed park. "The sun rises over the crowded streets, a sea of determined faces united in outrage and hope," Sancho declared, capturing the mood of the gathering.
Sancho's address highlighted long-standing grievances against the government, accusing those in power of plundering public coffers and trampling democratic ideals. "For too long, the coffers of the government have been plundered, and the democratic ideals shamelessly trampled by power-hungry tyrants," he stated before the energized crowd.
The labor leader emphasized that the working class would no longer remain silent, asserting their role as the nation's backbone. "We assert our dignity, we reclaim our honor, and we demand justice," Sancho proclaimed, with protesters responding with raised fists and chants of "Long live the Filipino working class!"
Massive Security Deployment Ensures Order
In anticipation of the large-scale protest, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) implemented comprehensive security measures, deploying 2,141 personnel across strategic locations throughout the region.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-NIR Public Information Office chief, the deployed personnel were assigned to multiple critical functions including:
- Fixed visibility posts and mobile patrols
- Traffic assistance and checkpoints
- Civil Disturbance Management units
- Drone operations and explosive detection teams
Police units throughout Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor were placed on full alert to maintain peace and order while managing traffic flow and providing assistance to affected commuters and residents.
Authorities Emphasize Peaceful Assembly Rights
Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, affirmed the organization's commitment to protecting democratic rights while ensuring public safety. "The right to peaceful assembly is a vital pillar of the democracy, one that PRO-NIR fully respects and protects," Ibay stated.
The police director called on participants to exercise their freedoms responsibly, emphasizing cooperation between law enforcement, local government units, event organizers, and community stakeholders. Coordination with multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), enhanced situational awareness and rapid response capabilities.
Ibay reassured the public that with all personnel strategically deployed and on full alert, PRO-NIR remained committed to protecting life, upholding democratic freedoms, and maintaining peace and order throughout the protest activities.
The Trillion Peso March 2.0 represents the continuing struggle of Filipino workers seeking government accountability and improved working conditions, building on previous protests that have drawn thousands to the streets in recent years.
