To the family of the dead and wounded: I’M SORRY, I TRIED MY BEST BUT I WAS ONE STEP BEHIND

By Manny Piñol

To the families of the farmers who were killed and wounded and the policemen who were injured in the violent dispersal of the 5-day-old rally in Kidapawan City today, please accept my heartfelt apologies and condolences.

I was sadly one step behind in the turn of events. If only I was able to do something earlier, things may not have turned bloody and deadly.

To correct the erroneous interpretation of my presence in the rally area this morning, allow me to share the true story.

Last night, I had a meeting with Presidential frontrunner Rody Duterte which lasted until about 12 midnight in Davao City.

Two of the very important issues I raised during the meeting were the forest fire which was destroying the centuries-old forests in Mt. Apo and the 4-day-old rally of farmers and militant groups in Kidapawan City.

I told Duterte that the farmers’ rally was getting to be a serious problem because it was not only paralyzing business in the capital city of Kidapawan but it was already affecting everybody because of the closure of the national highway.

It was because of this that I asked Duterte to drop by the city of Kidapawan after his engagement in Bukidnon today (Friday) because I believe that he could diffuse the tension.

With his skills in negotiations, I believe he would be able to convince the protesting farmers to open up the highway to allow the motorists and commuters to pass through.

We discussed the things which could be undertaken to address the demand of the hungry farmers for rice after the 4-month-long drought has rendered their farms unproductive.

I arrived home in Kidapawan City at about 3 a.m. Friday, and at 7 a.m. I proceeded to the rally area to meet with the protest leaders.

There, I informed them of the tentative plan of Duterte to drop by Kidapawan City and meet with the protest leaders, a news which was received happily by the farmers and the members of the militant groups.

After that, I went home to wait for the confirmation of Duterte’s arrival from his chief aide, Bong Go.

At about 10 a.m. while I was in my farm, I received text messages informing me of the violent dispersal of the rally.

I went back to the area and succeeded in convincing both sides to stay where they were.

Today, I feel very sad and sorry that I was not able to do earlier the things I did last night.

But it was only last night when Duterte came home to Davao after campaigning in other parts of the country thus I did not have the opportunity to take up with him the problem.

So, to those who are now saying that my presence in the rally area was because of politics, you are simply dead wrong. I am out of politics and I am not running for a political position.

I was there because, even if I am already out of politics, I still care for the people of this province.

I was there because I wanted to tell the hungry farmers that there is a presidential candidate now who truly cares for them.

I’m sorry that I was not able to do it earlier.

I apologize to the families of the farmers who were killed, and those who were wounded, including the policemen who were injured most of whom are from my hometown, M’lang.

In spite of this tragic turn of events, I am certain that we are seeing the last days of government insensitivity to the cries of the poor for help in times in crisis.

Change is coming.

(Photos show the scene of the violent dispersal and my photos with police officers and Fr. Peter Jeremiah. John Pagaduan)