MANILA, Philippines -- The president of the Catholic Bishops? Conference of the Philippines assailed the police for violently dispersing pro-agrarian reform demonstrators from the Batasan Pambansa compound on Monday.

?I condemn such actuation on the part of the police because they're not the ones who were supposed to respond to the advocacy of the farmers, but the congressmen,? Archbishop of Jaro Angel Lagdameo said Tuesday over Catholic Church-run Radio Veritas.

?Do not be discouraged," he appealed to farmers in Filipino.

"You have the right to get mad at what happened but do not let your anger get the better of you. The bishops are on your side. Let us hope that there will be an understanding of both sides,? he said.

Last Monday, about 2,000 farmer-demonstrators, joined by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo and other pro-land reform advocates, marched to camp outside the Batasan compound.

But the police and House of Representatives security dispersed them with water cannons.

Last Friday, police used truncheons to dismantle a farmers? camp-out on the same site.

The Catholic Church has solidly backed farmers' plea for Congress to approve the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program before Congress goes on recess next week.