Mar’s arrival prompted violent Kidapawan dispersal–Karapatan

Various groups held a condemnation rally in front of the Department of Agriculture main office in Quezon City to condemn the massacre of farmers in Kidapawan City morning of April 1.

According to later reports, at least three farmers were killed and 30 farmers were injured when Philippine National Police fired upon farmers barricading the highway to press the government for relief from hunger brought upon by the protracted drought that hit the region.

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said they received reports that Liberal Party candidate Mar Roxas was set to arrive in Kidapawan prompting the PNP to disperse the barricade.

Six thousand farmers and indigenous peoples have been barricading the Cotabato-Davao Highway since Saturday.

Here is a short clip of Palabay’s speech at the rally.

(Photo by Kilab Multimedia)