Thanks to KilaBalita for the above video and photo below.
By ELLEN T. TORDESILLAS
THIS Governor Emmylou Talino-Mendoza of Cotabato is really something.
I saw her on TV being interviewed on the bloody dispersal of the farmers rally in Kidapawan where at least two people died and many were injured and she expressed no sympathy. She was arrogant.
(Update: At the Senate hearing Thursday some of Mendoza’s arrogance was gone but she gave an impression of an unfeeling government official. She said she was the one who decided” “Police action na.”)
Gabriela Women’s Party 2nd Nominee Arlene Brosas is right when she said, “”Gov. Mendoza has shown no remorse and has even justified the massacre of the poor farmers. Her role in the bloody incident and her attitude afterwards has shown the she is clearly unfit for public service. She must leave and she should take her butcher North Cotabato Police Alexander Tagum with her.”
A report by the PNP validated Brosas statement on the role of Mendoza in the violent operation:
“ At around 6:00 a.m. on March 30, 2016, organized groups began to assemble on the Cotabato-Davao Highway, Kidapawan City. Around 4,000 participants composed of farmers, indigenous peoples, and cause-oriented groups like the KMP, PK, ASLPC, and PCPR gathered to blockade the highway. Said groups raised issues concerning the El Nino and the non-distribution of NFA rice, upon the declaration of a State of Calamity by LGUs. The City government immediately convened the City Crisis Management Council to address the situation.
“ Provincial Governor Emilou Mendoza and other mayors of North Cotabato attempted to engage the protesters. As stated later by the Governor, they exhausted all possible remedies, prompting sections of the crowd to disperse and head back to their communities. Many protesters, however, refused to clear the area. Their presence continued to disrupt public movement in one of the major transportation arteries of Mindanao.
“ The permit to rally lapsed, and past 10:00 AM on April 1, 2016, acting upon guidance from Governor Mendoza, combined PNP troops under the police district and Police Senior Superintendent of Tagum conducted an operation to clear the national highway and, in coordination with the DSWD, rescue minors who were part of the picket line.”
Take note of the phrase, “acting upon guidance from Governor Mendoza.”
Mendoza was quoted to have said, “”Nakakainsulto na bigas ang gagamitin nilang dahilan para magrally.”
She got support from Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala who said the the claims of farmers from North Cotabato that they have nothing to eat because of poor harvest due to El Niño “was overblown.” Alcala said n there was ample food supply in the area with the government having done enough to mitigate the effect of the drought. “Hindi po grabe ang hirap doon sa lugar nila,” he added.
Alcala even said that those in the rally had other motives than to demand for their share of rice from the government. He noted that protesters were carrying banners against Oplan Bayanihan, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ campaign against forces of the New People’s Army in the countryside.
Did that justify shooting at the rallyists?
If the government was unmoved, many were outraged. The politicians, including administration candidates Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo issued statements of concern.
But what’s admirable was the reaction of some showbiz personalities. Actor Robin Padilla donated 50 sacks of rice to the farmers who had sought refuge at the United Methodist Church.
Angel Locsin sent 120 sacks, 250 sacks came from Daniel Padilla, Mariel Rodriguez, Bianca Gonzalez-Intal, Director Perci Intalan,and Jun Robles Lana.
The Curtiz sisters, Anne and Jamie, also sent their donations, according to journalist Inday Espina-Varona’s Facebook post.
Inday ‘s update: “As donations pour in for hungry farmers, some head for home with rice stocks to tide them over .”
If only Mendoza had the heart for the hungry farmers, last Friday’s tragedy would not have happened