Activist alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and Metro Manila police traded statements Sunday over the designated venue for demonstrations during the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SoNA).

The dispute comes a week before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is scheduled to deliver his fifth annual address on 27 July, when thousands of protesters traditionally gather along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Bayan, an umbrella group of nationalist organizations, said it has attended two coordination meetings with the Quezon City government to request permission to hold its "People's SoNA" rally in front of St. Peter's Parish.

The group claimed a final agreement has been delayed because the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) refuses to allow demonstrations at the site.

"We ask Police Major General Anthony Aberin to stop blocking the efforts of the People's SoNA organizers, the Quezon City local government unit, and other stakeholders from coming up with a mutually acceptable agreement," Bayan said in a statement.

The group argued the proposed location is far enough from the Batasang Pambansa complex to avoid disrupting the joint session of Congress. Organizers added that the rally is scheduled only from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., minimizing potential disruptions to local businesses.

The NCRPO rejected the allegations, stating it respects the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and noted that local governments — not the police — issue permits for public gatherings.

"It is clear that NCRPO has no legal authority to grant or deny applications for permits to conduct rallies. Thus, there is no basis in saying that NCRPO is blocking the scheduled protests," the police office said.

The regional police command emphasized that its mandate is strictly limited to maintaining public safety and executing security deployments once local officials finalize the rally venues.