WHERE’S THE RICE? Around 5,000 farmers protest along Davao-Cotabato national highway in Kidapawan City on Wednesday, March 30 to demand for rice assistance as they suffer the impact of prolonged drought in the province. (Danilda L. Fusilero/davaotoday.com)
By Danilda Fusilero & Kath Cortez
The farmers start blocking the whole stretch of Quezon Boulevard in Kidapawan City, paralyzing the traffic as early as 5:30 in the morning. (Danilda L. Fusilero/davaotoday.com)
The farmers called for the intervention of the provincial government to increase the prices of their produce. (Danilda L. Fusilero/davaotoday.com)
The Provincial Police Office of North Cotabato deployed police forces and members of their SWAT team to disperse the growing number of protesters. (Danilda L. Fusilero/davaotoday.com)
Members of the SWAT team are positioned atop fire trucks. (Contributed photo by Kat Cortez)
Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista (in yellow shirt) negotiates with the protesters. (Contributed photo by Kath Cortez)
The anti-riot police from the North Cotabato Provincial Police Office await orders to disperse the barricade. (Contributed photo by Kath Cortez)
At around 7:00 in the evening, the police and the protesters await the arrival of Provincial Governor, Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza to end the impasse. (Contributed photo by Kath Cortez)
