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Here are the road closures on Sept. 21 to make way for Martial Law anniversary protests

By Cecile Baltasar Published Sep 17, 2026 7:04 pm

The Manila Police District has released the list of road closures and re-routing schemes on Monday, Sept. 21 in anticipation of protests marking the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. 

From 12:01 a.m. onwards, the following roads will be closed:

CRB Mendiola
  • Stretch of C.M. Recto Ave. from N. Reyes to Mendiola
  • Stretch of Legarda from Figueras St. to San Rafael St.

To get to Mendiola St. from Quezon Blvd. and C.M. Recto Ave., turn left on N. Reyes St.

To get on Mendiola St. from P. Casal St., turn left on San Rafael St. and go straight to Bilibid Viejo St. going to Quezon Blvd. 

To get to C.M. Recto Ave. from Sta. Mesa area via Legarda St., turn right on Figueras St. and go straight to Earnshaw St.

Liwasang Bonifacio
  • Stretch of Magallanes Drive from Jones to McArthur Bridge

To get to Magallanes Drive from P. Burgos Ave. northbound lane, go straight to Jones Bridge.

To get to Magallanes Drive from McArthur Bridge, go straight to P. Burgos Ave. southbound lane. 

Ayala Bridge
  • Ayala Bridge
  • East-bound lane of Ayala Blvd. from San Marcelino to Romualdez St. 

To get on Ayala Bridge from Romualdez St., turn left on Ayala Blvd. then turn right on Taft Ave. Alternatively, go straight to N. Lopez, turn right on A. Villegas, then left on C. Muñoz. 

To get on Ayala Bridge from San Marcelino St., turn right on Ayala Blvd. then make another right on Taft Ave. Alternatively, go straight down San Marcelino St. then turn left on UN Ave.

To get on Ayala Bridge from C. Palanca St., turn left on P. Casal. 

To get on Ayala Bridge from P. Casal, turn right on C. Palanca. 

Continued protests

Every year on Sept. 21, various groups have staged protest rallies. This year would be no different, with Bagong Alyansang Makabayan announcing its plan to "seek redress of grievances, among them the continuing lack of accountability over the flood control scam and other corruption scandals," the group wrote in a statement. 

BAYAN is also protesting political dynasties, stagnant wages, repressed civil rights, Pax Silica, and "the Marcos administration's utter subservience to US imperialism."

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 16, Palace press officer Claire Castro shared President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s appeal to keep Sept. 21 mass demonstrations peaceful.

“First of all, the President will not suppress our fellow citizens from expressing their sentiments,” Castro said.

“Our police force is prepared. Our appeal to our fellow citizens is, while it is your right to speak out and make your voices heard to ensure your message reaches the government, please do so without resorting to violence,” she added. 

Per Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, over 15,000 police officers have been deployed to keep the peace on Monday.