No permits for rallies, protests issued in Manila on SONA - MPD

The Manila City government did not issue any permit allowing rallies and protest actions in the city on the day of State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 22, the Manila Police District (MPD) reported.
According to MPD Chief Brigadier Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, around 250 farmers and fishermen from the Pambansang Kaisahang Makabayang Mambubukid at Mangingisda (PKM), Workers for People's Liberation (WPL), Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND), and Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD) started marching from Legarda to Mendiola as early as 8 a.m. on Monday.
Ibay said elements of MPD's Civil Disturbance Management were deployed to Morayta, Legarda, and Recto to block all rallyists who planned to stage their protest in Mendiola.
The groups decided to stage their protest instead in front of Isetann Mall along Recto Avenue instead.
They appealed to the government to prevent the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 62 which reduces tariffs on key agricultural commodities, including rice.
The protesters said the new EO promotes global importation that only favors foreign interests and neglects the needs of local producers.
Police said the groups ended their program, dispersed peacefully, and headed to Quezon City around 11 a.m.
He said several barricades were already installed at the Mendiola Peace Arch days ahead of the SONA.
"We are on full alert status for the SONA. No permits for rally and protests were granted by the City of Manila today," the MPD director added.