Rising prices of basic goods, electricity and fuel were among the major issues raised by progressive groups during a protest march in Cebu City marking the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 2026.
The groups also raised concerns over wages, livelihood opportunities, corruption, human rights and democratic freedoms during the rally, which was led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Central Visayas.
The protesters marched from Fuente Rotunda toward Colon Street, where they held their program. Similar demonstrations were held in other parts of the country to mark the anniversary and call for government accountability.
In Cebu City, police estimated that around 100 people participated in the activity, which ended at about 11 a.m. Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, deputy city director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office, said authorities did not record any major incident during the rally.
A brief tension emerged when uniformed police personnel carrying anti-riot shields were positioned along the roadside near the protesters. Progressive groups objected to the deployment, after which city police officials ordered the personnel to withdraw while maintaining security monitoring.
Pelare said the police presence was initially intended to help manage traffic and protect protesters from passing vehicles. The officers were pulled back after authorities assessed that their presence could interfere with the start of the protesters’ program.
The cost of living has remained a prominent concern in recent protests. Transport groups in Cebu have also raised complaints over higher fuel prices, with the Department of Energy attributing recent fuel increases to movements in international oil prices.
Electricity costs have likewise become a major issue in the Visayas. On September 21, the Visayas grid was placed under yellow alert, with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines reporting around 2,500 megawatts of available capacity against an expected peak demand of 2,426 MW.
The political and economic concerns raised in Cebu formed part of wider nationwide demonstrations commemorating the Martial Law anniversary. Other groups across the country also highlighted corruption, accountability and economic pressures affecting ordinary Filipinos.
For the Cebu protesters, the anniversary served not only as a remembrance of Martial Law but also as an opportunity to bring present-day economic concerns into the public discussion, particularly the continuing pressure from prices, wages, fuel and electricity costs.
