Drought-hit Farmers staged a protest and clashed with Police in Koronadal.
About 2,000 drought-hit farmers staged a protest outside the regional office of the Department of Agriculture in Koronadal City to demand for food aid amid the ongoing El Niño that has affected their lands.
In an interview with Inquirer, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan leader Ryan Lariba, who was one of the support groups, said that police tried to disperse the drought-stricken farmers but they were able to overpower them.
The farmers pushed the anti-riot cops inside the office and locked them inside the building. However, the police were able to escape using the back door.
“About 30 cops tried to disperse the farmers by pushing and hitting them but they stood their ground and eventually where able to overpower the police. The farmers were able to push the anti-riot cops inside the office of the Department of Agriculture,” he said.
According to Lariba, the farmers came from South Cotabato, General Santos City, Sarangani Province, Sultan Kudarat, Koronadal, Cotabato, Kidapawan and Tacurong.
Lariba added that the government has already sent negotiators from Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and including church leaders. But, no officials from DA came to negotiate with the farmers.
Earlier this month, 2 farmers were left lifeless and dozens injured, following the violent dispersal of Philippine National Police (PNP) in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.
Thousands of farmers protested to ask the provincial government for food relief and subsidies as hunger continues due to the huge effect of drought which started in late November last year. The incident is still being investigated.