Youth leaders condemn bloody dispersal in Kidapawan

April 2, 2016 Leaders from the youth sector gathered in front of the Philippine
National Police Camp Sergio Osme a, Cebu City to decry yesterdays violent dispersal
in Kidapawan City of the more or less 6,000 protesting farmers from North Cotabato
demanding for government assistance.
Nagpaila lang nga utok-pulbura ang maong ahensya (Philippine National Police) og si
Presidente Noynoy Aquino nga wala siyay laing pamaagi para undangon ang kritisismo
sa iyang administrasyon kundi ang pagpanglutos og pagpatay sa atoang sektor
partikular niana ang kinabag-an sa atoang mang-uuma, said Nio Olayvar, Anakbayan
Cebu Vice President and Kabataaan Partylist Cebu Coordinator.
The indignation rally was formed by leaders from Anakbayan, PISTON Partylist, and
Kabataan Partylist.
In Kidapawan City, the farmers started to picket last Wednesday asking for additional
rice subsidy and relief from the administration due to their drought-stricken lands
caused by El Nio. What started as a peaceful demonstration by farmers from different
parts of Cotabato, turned out as bloody dispersal as police forces opened fire to the
barricading farmers.
Three protesters were killed and were identified as Rotello Daelto from Arakan, Enrico
Pabrica from Kidapawan City, and Victor Lumandang from Magpet. 89 people are
reported to have been missing which include minors, women, and elderly. Adding to the
casualties, 116 protesters suffered serious injuries inflicted by police gunshots and hits.