2 dead in Philippines police, farmers clash

KIDAPAWAN, Philippines, April 1, (AP): Police clashed with farmers blocking a highway to demand government relief in the droughtstricken southern Philippines on Friday, leaving at least two demonstrators dead and dozens injured, including at least 23 officers, officials said.

Police moved in to disperse about 6,000 farmers and their supporters who were demonstrating for the fourth straight day in Kidapawan, the capital of Cotabato province, when scuffles and gunfire broke out, police and Cotabato Gov Emmylou Mendoza said.