Elements of the Manila Police District blocked protesters from marching to Mendiola, Manila where they planned to stage a rally on Monday, July 1.
The groups, composed of fisherfolks and farmers from Central and Southern Luzon, were blocked along Legarda avenue corner Bustillos Street in Sampaloc, Manila.
MPD Spokesperson Maj. Philipp Ines said the rallyists did not secure a permit to hold their protest in Mendiola.
He reiterated that the "No permit, No rally" policy is strictly being implemented in Manila.
According to the MPD, they immediately deployed personnel to Morayta and Recto Avenue where the march was expected to take place on Monday morning.
However, authorities received reports that the rallyists were heading to Legarda, which is closer to Mendiola.
The rallyists, led by the Kilusang Mambubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and Pamalakaya, decided to hold their program along Figueras Street in Sampaloc, to call for political rights protection and national sovereignty.
They also expressed their dismay over the high agricultural costs, rising food prices, and over-reliance on imports.
"Kailangan nating magbigkis at igiit ang tunay na reporma sa lupa at mga pambansa-demokratikong solusyong sa lumalalang krisis sa agrikultura at pagkain (We need to unite and demand for real land reform and national-democratic solutions to the issues of agricultural and food crisis)," the KMP said.
The KMP also said the price of rice reached P55 to P60 or more per kilo under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which worsened the hunger being experienced by the farmers and consumers.
The group also called on the government to stop implementing policies that favor foreign interests and neglect the needs of local producers.
"Pinalala pa ng husto ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ang importasyon kaysa suportahan ang ating mga magsasaka at tiyakin ang kasiguraduhan sa pagkain ng mamayang Pilipino (The current administration relied on importation than supporting our farmers and ensuring the food security of the Filipino people.)," KMP added.