Leftist group hits PNoy's silence over bloody Kidapawan protest

Leftist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Sunday questioned President Benigno Aquino III's silence over the violent dispersal of protesters in Kidapawan City last Friday.

“In this time of crisis, where is the president? Nasaan ang pangulo? Is he still too busy campaigning to even give a hoot about the plight of the farmers,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said in a press statement.

About 6,000 protesters blocked the Cotabato-Davao Highway in Kidapawan City to raise their concern on the El Niño's effects on their livelihoods and the non-distribution of rice from the National Food Authority.

Three protesters were shot dead and nearly 200 people were reportedly hurt during the dispersal.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said in a radio interview on Sunday that President Aquino was still studying details of the protest.

“I do believe the President will refrain from making any statements until he has fully studied the matter and is satisfied with all the answers that he has received as a result of demanding an impartial and thorough investigation,” Quezon said.

Reyes, meanwhile, urged Aquino to act on the demands of the farmers, including the rice subsidy and distribution of calamity funds.

The group has accused the Philippine National Police (PNP) of covering up the killing of the three farmers.

The PNP has said that one of the slain protesters has tested positive for gunpowder burns, meaning the victim might have fired a gun during the violent dispersal.

The police had also said that one of those arrested during the dispersal is a suspected commander of the New People's Army. —ALG, GMA News