MANILA, Philippines — The crowd of protesters at the People Power Monument on Wednesday, Bonifacio Day swelled around 5 p.m. and peaked at around 7 p.m. slamming the burial of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Using available aerial shots and maps, Philstar.com's independent estimate is 11,000 people at 5 p.m. when protesters were still arriving. Organizers, meanwhile, estimated a rally of 20,000 people while police counted only 1,500 to 3,000.
Demonstrators held posters criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte for attempting to revise history in having Marcos laid to rest in hallowed grounds of the Heroes' Cemetery under state jurisdiction.
A people's revolt in 1986 ousted Marcos, whose iron rule for 20 years saw wide-scale corruption and killings and torture of thousands who criticized his government.
Crowd at People Power Monument past 5 p.m. Based on a 360-degree aerial view taken by Philip Cheang
Crowd at People Power Monument past 5 p.m. Based on a 360-degree aerial view taken by Philip Cheang