Poe decries violence in Kidapawan farmer rally, calls for probe

Presidential aspirant Grace Poe strongly condemned on Friday the violent dispersal of protesting farmers in Kidapawan City as she called for the immediate investigation and resolution of the case.

“We condemn the violent incident that resulted in the death of one person and wounding of dozen other protesting farmers in North Cotabato,” Poe said in a statement.

“The situation calls for authorities and concerned agencies to immediately investigate and resolve this case, and bring to justice those responsible,” she said.

READ: 1 killed, 13 hurt after police open fire in North Cotabato farmer protest

Poe said the farmers staged their activity for a “rightful demand – government aid amid the drought being experienced in the province, which she said is killing their crops and depriving them of harvest and food to eat.

“This should have been attended to by the concerned agencies at the outset that would have prevented the farmers from taking to the streets,” she further said.

READ: 6,000 North Cotabato farmers block highway, demand food, farm aid; cops blame activists

A farmer was reportedly killed and at least 13 others were wounded after police forces opened fired at some 6,000 protesters in the City this Friday morning.

The protesters were reportedly demanding relief and subsidy for farm communities affected by the dry spell. CDG