Kidapawan probe to be impartial

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday assured the public of an impartial investigation into the killing of two farmers during last week’s violent dispersal of a group of protesters who blocked the highway in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said they were waiting for the report of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on the incident, as well as that from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“The CHR is investigating the incident. The people should understand that this is something we do not want to happen,” Coloma said over the radio on Sunday.

Criminal charges were filed yesterday by the provincial police against 43 farmers who were arrested after the dispersal.

The charges include obstruction of traffic, illegal assembly, economic sabotage and harassment of commuters and motorists.

The CHR investigation will seek to answer significant questions, like why live ammunition was used during the dispersal.

“We will find out why they brought firearms. If the operation was crowd dispersal, there was no place for live ammunition,” CHR chairman Chito Gascon said,  referring to the law enforcers.

Coloma expressed belief that militant groups have infiltrated the farmers’ protest-rally, which was meant to get the government’s attention on the plight of farm workers and communities affected by El Niño.

He said some groups took advantage of the situation for propaganda purposes and to deceive the people.

Coloma did not mention any group or groups in particular, saying the CHR and PNP probes are underway.

“Bringing in peasant groups other than those based in Kidapawan meant there was mobilization effort. The farmers were carrying paraphernalia and placards, and chanting advocacies far from El Niño concerns,” he said.

The complaint against the farmers was first filed with the City Prosecutor’s Office and forwarded to the Regional Trial Court Branch 17 in Kidapawan City.

North Cotabato police director Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum led the filing of the charges against the farmers, who are in police custody.

Mayor Joseph Evangelista said the blockade affected the local economy.

Maximum tolerance

Gascon said in such situations, the police should always observe maximum tolerance, which involves the use of non-lethal weapons such as truncheon, shield, water cannon and tear gas. 

“If rocks are thrown at you, should you use bullets?” he asked.

Videos posted on the Internet showed uniformed personnel, supposedly members of the PNP dispersal unit, shooting at a crowd of protesters. 

Reports said two of the three fatalities suffered gunshot wounds. The other reportedly died due to heat stroke. 

The PNP said one of the victims tested positive for paraffin. Bullet shells were also reportedly found in the area of the protesters. 

Police claimed the farmers initiated the clash, noting 99 of their members suffered injuries, including one in critical condition. Initial reports said 44 policemen were wounded in the clash.

The PNP claimed to have arrested a leader of the New People’s Army, who supposedly infiltrated the ranks of the farmers. 

Aside from the fatalities, more than a hundred farmer-protesters were wounded. Dozens were also reported missing, after the police allegedly arrested them.

In view of conflicting claims, Gascon stressed the need to see the full picture before coming up with conclusions as to what happened. 

He urged anyone with relevant information to come forward.

“I need to clarify that the CHR is still in the middle of its fact-finding process. Raw reports given to us will be verified and validated with any corroborating evidence if available,” Gascon said.

“We shall be guided by the goal of helping shed light on the facts and to uncover the whole truth regarding what has transpired,” he added.

Villagers yesterday prayed over the police officers involved in Kidapawan incident.

The event capped off a peace rally in Barangay Amas and attended by 20,000 to 25,000 people.

2 fact-finding panels

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento created two fact-finding panels to investigate the circumstances behind the bloody confrontation.

Sarmiento admitted he was puzzled how the farmers’ protest turned violent and resulted in the death of three people.

Sarmiento said the first panel would focus on the operational aspect of the dispersal and will be headed by National Police Commission (Napolcom) commissioner Job Mangente.

The second will focus on the local government units and headed by Manuel Gotis of the department’s bureau of local government supervision.

The Napolcom’s fact-finding panel will determine the actions taken by the PNP personnel and their commanders on the ground when the incident occurred.

The LGU panel will look at the measures taken by the concerned LGUs in addressing El Niño problems in their area of responsibilities.

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said a doctor has confirmed that the policeman wounded in the Kidapawan melee was hit by gunfire.   – John Unson, Janvic Mateo, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Mayen Jaymalin, Paolo Romero, Evelyn Macairan, Danny Dangcalan