The President of the Republic of the Philippines, President Benigno S. Aquino III breaks his silence on the controversial Kidapawan Rally and stated that he was unaware of the incident involving the violent dispersal of farmers after the protest due to drought brought about by El Nino in the province.
According to the 56-year-old President Aquino, on the fateful day, he was in Cavite for the turnover of a newly-built school building and a Liberal Party campaign rally of the local candidates alongside the Roxas and Robredo tandem.
Pres. Aquino was quoted as saying “Pauwi kami pabalik ng Maynila, nabanggit ni DILG Secretary Mel Sarmiento na kinabukasan tutungo siya sa Kidapawan at ako naman po’y nagtanong. Anong gagawin mo sa Kidapawan?,” Aquino said during an administration campaign activity in Makati City Friday, April 8.
The Philippine president added further that “Sa totoo lang po, doon ko lang narinig sa unang pagkakataon na mayroon pa lang nangharang ng highway sa Kidapawan at nagkaroon ng isang violent dispersal,” Aquino added.
The president claimed that no one informed him about the massive street demonstration of farmers seeking government aid to survive the El Niño drought that began on March 30. Three persons were killed and several others were injured after the police opened fire at the protesters during the dispersal.
Pres. Aquino also revealed that despite falling ill last April 1, he also explained that he wanted to resolve the Kidapawan situation and immediately sought a meeting with concerned officials that weekend. A separate meeting with government officials about the April 2 power outage at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 3 was also asked by the President last Sunday, April 3.