76 Kidapawan farmers released
The 76 farmers arrested during a protest in Kidapawan City last April 1 have been released on bail, Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta said yesterday.
A costa said the farmers were released through the efforts of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) and Karapatan human rights group, who paid P6,000 bail for each direct assault charge filed against the 76 farmers.
Two of the farmers identified as Ruben Carlos Mangga and Ponciano de la Peña Paunil, however, are still in detention.
Acosta said the two might be released anytime, saying their names were misplaced during the process of paying the bail bond.
Acosta added the hearing on the motion for reconsideration on the denial to quash the charges of direct assault, frustrated murder and illegal assembly charges against the farmers has been scheduled on April 25.
The pre- trial of the three accused in the frustrated homicide has also been set on May 4.
NUPL lawyer Sarah Villamor said two of the farmers who were wounded in the scuffle with the police have been discharged from hospital.
Villamor said Alfie Awe and Darwin Magyao were released the other day but reportedly boarded the vehicle owned by the Mayor of Arakan.
She said the NUPL will continue to monitor the whereabouts of Awe and Magyao and their condition.
Police brought the arrested farmers to the Kidapawan City Convention Center after the violent dispersal last April 1.
On Thursday, 28 female farmers were transferred to the North Cotabato Provincial Jail.
Police, on the other hand, confirmed the release of all the farmers.
“All the detained Kidapawan protesters were already released after they have posted bail…To date, no more protester is detained,” said provincial police spokesman Sr. Supt. Jose Briones.
Three people were killed and scores hurt after police dispersed at least 6,000 protesters in Kidapawan last April 1.
The farmers were demanding rice supply from the government, pointing out their lands have been affected by the severe drought brought by the El Niño phenomenon.
The lawmen involved in the violent dispersal are under investigation.