Noy wants full probe of Kidapawan dispersal

LIPA CITY, Batangas, Philippines – The violent dispersal of farmers in Kidapawan City should not have happened, President Aquino said yesterday as he vowed to hold those behind it accountable under the law.

“Will I hold government officials responsible? I am waiting for the conclusion of the investigation,” Aquino said in an ambush interview with reporters following the inauguration of the Lipa-Alaminos road project.

“So let me go back, there were really those who organized the (protest rally). It was like the people were made to fight and the lives (of the people) they brought did not mean anything – that should also be pursued. If they are not the ones solely responsible, then they play a big part,” Aquino also said.

The President pointed out that those who “enticed, provoked, fooled” as opposed to the ones who “fooled, enticed, planned the violence” would have to be dealt with separately, aside from looking at those who exploited the people.

He said violent dispersals have always been avoided in the National Capital Region.

Aquino condoled with the families of those who died and said the policemen who had the obligation to enforce peace and order should not have been placed in such a situation.

Like everyone else, he was able to watch the videos of the incident and wondered why both sides would hit one another violently and inhumanely, he added.

“Then the question is: is the government at fault?” Aquino said, noting a report that the policemen were fired upon.

He also wanted other aspects of the April 1 incident, such as whether or not the protesters were promised three sacks of rice by rally organizers and whether they could block the highway when the reasonable thing to do would be to stay on the side of the road, included in the investigation.

“There was one woman saying she already wanted to leave, especially when they were being dispersed, but they were supposedly prevented by the so-called marshals. Everything is in the investigation that we are waiting to come out,” Aquino said.

“Let us also look at this: what did they do… to be treated like they are no longer human? I understand no less than 93 policemen were hurt. The worst hit, based on last report, is still comatose until now. What is his fault? Why should he be treated like that?” the President added.

He also said that North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza noted “there were too many people from other provinces who joined the rally.”

“Of course, it happened to us in Tarlac… it brought back a lot of memories,” Aquino said, apparently referring to some incidents at Hacienda Luisita.