The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) clarified that it does not have the authority to approve protest rally venues, saying its role is limited to maintaining public safety and security, after militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) accused the police of blocking the proposed venue for the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 27.

According to a report of RH Jecelle Ricafort on DZRH's Magandang Umaga Pilipinas (MUP), NCRPO spokesperson Hazel Asilio said the authority to approve rally permits rests with local government units (LGUs), which determine which groups may hold demonstrations and designate the areas where these may take place.

Asilio stressed that the role of the NCRPO is limited to ensuring public safety and maintaining peace and order during protest activities.

She also denied allegations that the NCRPO was blocking the request of protesters to hold a rally in front of Saint Peter Parish in Quezon City.

According to Asilio, demonstrations have not been allowed at the site in previous years, adding that the police are not preventing any group from exercising its right to peaceful assembly.

"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 NCRPO said in a statement on July 18.

"NCRPO's participation is solely confined to providing the appropriate security measures to ensure that the rallies will be peaceful, secure and orderly for everyone," it added.

Earlier, the Bagong Alyansa Makabayan (BAYAN) claimed that the NCRPO was obstructing its request to stage a protest at the said location during this year's SONA.

“The NCRPO stance is restrictive, unreasonable, and unjust,” pahayag ng grupo.

The group also said it had already participated in two coordination meetings with the Quezon City local government regarding its proposed rally site, but the discussions reportedly ended without a final agreement.

"Bayan and other anti-corruption advocates have already attended two meetings initiated by the QC government regarding our letter about our plans for the SONA protest, but no agreement has been finalized due to the refusal of the National Capital Region Police Office to allow rallies in front of St Peter’s Parish," it said.