Protesters arrested, barred ahead of Marcos' SONA 2026 —BAYAN

Some individuals were arrested and barred from holding a protest along Commonwealth Ave, Quezon City, hours before the fifth State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Speaking to reporters, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) president Renato Reyes said at least three individuals were arrested, but they have yet to know the exact number and their whereabouts.

"Ayon sa mga ulat na natanggap namin tatlong kasamahan namin ang inaresto dito sa may palibot ng rally. Hindi namin makuha ang identity nila at ang kanilang mga organizational affiliation," Reyes said.

(Based to the reports we received, three of our fellow protesters were arrested in the vicinity of the rally. We are yet to get their identity and their organizational affiliation.)

LOOK: Several groups conduct a protest along Commonwealth Ave in Quezon City hours before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's fifth SONA.

Among the issues they flagged is the Pax Silica Hub in New Clark City, Tarlac, which raises environmental concerns, among others. | Mariel… pic.twitter.com/vrEFqF33B3

— Celine (@celine_serquina) July 27, 2026

"Hindi namin sila matunton o malaman ang pangalan kasi nang hinihingi namin sa kapulisan na iharap sa amin 'yung mga inaresto at ipinaliwanag kung bakit sila inaresto, ayaw pong iharap sa amin," he added.

(We cannot locate them or know their name because when we asked the police to present them to us the those arrested and explain why they were arrested, the police refused to do so.)

𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗬𝗢𝗡, 𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗜𝗞𝗟𝗔𝗕 𝗦𝗔 𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗦𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗨𝗘

Naging tensiyonado ang sitwasyon sa kilos-protesta ng grupong Bayan sa Commonwealth Avenue sa Quezon City; 3 indibiduwal, arestado. | via @MMakalalad pic.twitter.com/lzHygGoW47

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 27, 2026

Elmo San Diego, Quezon City Public and Order Safety head, meanwhile, said he is coordinating with the Quezon City Police to address the issues.

He pointed out that the protest being held by BAYAN has a permit and they are allowed to conduct their program along Commonwealth Ave.

"Legal ito, may lisensya, may permit 'yan. Ganun ka simple yun," San Diego said.

(This is legal, they have a permit. It's that simple.)

In a Viber message, QCPD spokesperson P/Major Jennifer Ganaban said they will release a statement once they receive a report.

"Mag-labas po kami statement once makuha namin report (we will release a statement once we have the report)," Ganaban told GMA News Online.

Vandalism

Meanwhile, the QCPD has arrested 51 individuals for alleged vandalism and wearing balaclavas along Commonwealth Avenue, said PNP chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

According to Super Radyo dzBB's Sam Nielsen, Nartatez said that the such acts are strictly prohibited during such gathering.

BAYAN claims that the arrests were "deliberate and planned."

In the report of Super Radyo dzBB's Mark Makalalad, BAYAN Secretary General Mong Palatino said the arrests were illegal as some of them were only sitting on the roadside.

Palatino said that BAYAN sent lawyers to the police station where the arrested individuals are detained.

—Mariel Celine Serquiña and Vince Angelo Ferrers/AOL/RF, GMA News