Alcala blames politics in Kidapawan bloody dispersal Pinol calls DA exec insane

COTABATO CITY -- Agriculture Secretary Proseso Alcala has blamed former North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Pinol for instigating the farmers which led to Friday's bloody clash with police in Kidapawan City.The Philippine Star reported that Alcala has said the farmers protest was not about farmers gripes over lack of government support for their losses due to El Nino. According to Alcala, Piñol’s brother is running against reelectionist North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño, who is backed by the Liberal Party, The Philippine Star reported.(Editor - Nobody amongPinol's brother is running for governor of North Cotabato) The reality on the ground at Kidapawan is that it’s politically motivated by the local politicians led by Piñol,” Alcala told The STAR. Our brothers from the Left, who were observing the NPA anniversary last March 29, instigated the breakout of stone-throwing that led to the violence during the dispersal,” Alcala said.Pinol, speaking over DZRH Radio, denied he was involved in instigating the farmers. Far from that, my presence there was seen by many, including the governor, as political, I am not running for any public office, I have retired from politics, Pinol told DZRH. I am campaigning for the presidential bid of Mayor Rody Duterte, he said. My presence in the area was to gather reports so I can submit to Mayor Duterte and for him to extend help in whatever way he can. No politics here. The truth is farmers are asking for food and they got bullets, this is the kind of government we have now, he added.He said he was arranging a meeting between Duterte and the farmers leaders on how can the Davao mayor could extend help. In his FB page, Pinol said Alcala was dead wrong. 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, Pinol said in his FB page. 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, he said. sand//scontent-nrt1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xla1/v/t1.0-9/12931170_995576437191492_1290615090031309222_n.jpg?_nc_eui=ARgPDY6a260gv8OK9_OUVDH3RI7-Y8DpHIoT_J18-TsSOw2SrMaPh3CQ5bsiandampoh=445c89dbc3dcd21bacf79f23c94a1d4candampoe=577A20F3