Commotion mars early morning EDSA anniversary activities

A minor tussle marred early morning activities at the People Power Monument along EDSA on the 32nd anniversary commemoration of the historic uprising that toppled strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

Heated arguments erupted when police securing the area for the anniversary activities forcibly removed the tent of protesters conducting a prayer vigil from the place at the monument designated as holding area for VIPs joining the events later in the morning.

WATCH: Mga nagsasagawa ng dasal at ayuno sa People Power Monument, pansamantalang pinaalis kasunod ng isasagawang programa ngayong araw. | via @allangatus pic.twitter.com/Wfqc87moxo

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 24, 2018

But "running priest" Fr. Robert Reyes, who led the prayer vigil, opposed the police action arguing that EDSA is for the people and not only for those perched in high places in government.

The Police have imposed a "no permit, no rally" around the People Power Monument from 5 a.m. to 12 noon to give way for the official activities commemorating the historic event that led to the restoration of the country's democratic institutions. —LBG, GMA News