Protesters wearing, carrying CPP-NPA shirts, flags occupy part of EDSA

The "lightning rally" started shortly before 8 a.m. and lasted for about 20 minutes, causing traffic jam along EDSA.

The protesters also carried streamers bearing the logos of the communist movement and messages "Mamamayan Lumahok sa Digmaang Bayan... Sumapi sa NPA."

It was not clear if the protest action had a permit, but they were not dispersed by policemen.

Mga miembro ng CPP-NPA inokupahan ang kanto ng Edsa-Aurora kasunod ng ika-48 Anibersaryo @dzbb pic.twitter.com/QvG846a5oP

— Allan Gatus (@allangatus) March 27, 2017

Hindi na gumagalaw ang daloy ng trapiko dahil sa nagsasagawa ng programa ang CPP-NPA-NDF sa Edsa-Aurora @dzbb pic.twitter.com/1F5SbSvfL6

— Allan Gatus (@allangatus) March 27, 2017

The protest action was conducted before the 48th anniversary of the NPA on March 29.

Nagpapatuloy pa rin ang programa ng mga miembro ng CPP-NPA @dzbb pic.twitter.com/ADWv7TL9Sm

— Allan Gatus (@allangatus) March 27, 2017

In an interview on Balitanghali, Quezon City Police District Director Police Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar said the rally was not coordinated with the police but there were policemen in the vicinity.

He added that the rallyists dispersed at 8:15 a.m.

The CPP-NPA on Saturday announced that it will declare a unilateral ceasefire in preparation for the resumption of peace talks with the government next month.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines launched an "all-out" war against the NPA after President Rodrigo Duterte terminated the talks with the communists last February. —report from Allan Gatus/ALG, GMA News