Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – All detained protesters from the violent dispersal in Kidapawan City, Cotabato on April 1 have been released on bail.
PSupt. Byron Tabernilla, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s fact-finding team on the Kidapawan incident, confirmed with CNN Philippines that all 81 protesters have posted bail as of 9:30 a.m. on Saturday (April 16).
He explained 12 were released on Wednesday (April 13), four on Thursday (April 14), 63 on Friday (April 15) and another two on Saturday morning. He said the last two protesters’ release orders were delayed due to lack of proper documents.
“Last night, continuous ang pag-process ng court for their motion and plead for bail,” Tabernilla said.
The protesters, majority of them farmers, were arrested after blocking the Davao-Cotabato Highway to demand the release of calamity aid from the local government after their crops were destroyed by the drought.
They were violently dispersed, leaving three people dead and dozens wounded.
Also read: PH gov’t under fire over violent Kidapawan dispersal
The arrested individuals were held in different detention centers in Kidapawan, Tabernilla added. They were later charged with direct assault.
Related: Kidapawan protesters face criminal complaints
Protesters to prepare for legal battles
The bail was originally set at P12,000 but this was halved to P6,000 by Kidapawan’s Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) on Wednesday following a motion of the accused farmers.
Prior to the court’s decision to reduce bail, three detained protesters had already posted the P12,000-bailbond.
Local celebrities, rally organizers, and support groups helped raise the funds.
Also read: Timeline: Kidapawan violence
It was the National Union of People’s Lawyers and human rights group Karapatan who directly facilitated the release, and who triumphantly reported it on Saturday, saying the farmers will now rest, reunite with their families, and prepare for the legal battles they will be facing.
The Senate will resume its hearing on the Kidapawan incident on April 20.
