Kin fail to bring mom after Senate probe on Kidapawan dispersal

KIDAPAWAN CITY -– Forty-year old Quirico Berdin from the hinterland town in Arakan, North Cotabato failed to bring back home his mother, 78-year old Valentina, after her testimony at the Senate in Manila, last Wednesday. Quirico said they were so frustrated when they could not find Valentina inside the Organic Farm at Barangay Balindog, here. Quirico, along with other siblings and relatives, went to the farm hoping to find Valentina and bring her back home. They arrived at the farm, around 8 p.m., Thursday. They, however, did not find any trace of the old woman at the area. Quirico was told his mother was brought somewhere in Davao City after she went to Manila for the Senate hearing. We will really get our mother.She has a disorder.We’re afraid she will suffer again such mental disorder, Quirico said. Quirico said they really wanted to get their mother ‘no matter what’ because they have been humiliated. I told my mother not to join the rally.What is there to ask for?We have money.But we were informed she joined the rally.When the violence erupted, we were told she was missing.But we found her later.She was released on bail.We thought she would be brought home only to find out she is in Manila.She was being used.I am hurt,” he said. Earlier, Lito Roxas of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) in North Cotabato denied accusations they are holding as ‘captives’ at the farm detained farmers who were released on bail. Roxas said the farm, owned by the Diocese of Kidapawan and managed by Catholic priest Pol Paracha, has become the farmers’ sanctuary. We are still preparing papers and other documents needed in filing counter charges against the provincial government.Also, these farmers would be brought to a local court here on Monday, April 25,” said Roxas.