1,000 drought-hit farmers block Koronadal highway for rice aid

KORONADAL CITY — About 1,000 drought-stricken farmers started barricading a portion of the national highway here on Sunday afternoon, preventing all kinds of vehicles from passing through as they pressed government to give them rice.

On Sunday morning, the farmers, led by the Kilusang Mambubukid ng Pilipinas, barricaded the highway for an hour.

The farmers have been asking rice subsidy from the government.

Domingo Azures of the Anak Pawis partylist earlier vowed the farmers would not replicate the Kidapawan City protest where a major highway was blocked.

Two people were killed while dozens, including farmers and policemen, were hurt when police dispersed and fired at the protesting farmers in Kidapawan City on April 1.  SFM

Read more...