that they could be given rice rations and other benefits from the calamity fund of the province. On March 30, 2016, around 6 a.m. (PST), some 6,000 farmers and their supporters began to gather at the Davao–Cotabato Road in Kidapawan, North Cotabato, to set up a road blockade. As the protesters aired their grievances, they rendered the road impassible to thousands of motorists for three days. The police were also deployed in an attempt to negotiate with the protesters. Bai Alil Indayla, chairperson Gabriela Mindanao said that the protesters were suspicious of the police, and they questioned the PNP's attempts to engage open negotiations. Indayla further said that the police were ready to dismantle the barricade set up by the protesters. According to Kidapawan Mayor Joseph Evangelista, Governor Taliño-Mendoza was scheduled to have a dialogue with the farmers at the city hall in the evening of March 30, but none of the farmers came for the talks. The farmers would block more portions of the highway until the government officials spoke to them. When the protesters demanded 15,000 sacks of rice previously promised by Mendoza, she reportedly refused to give in to the demands, and clarified that the rice assistance from the provincial government was intended only for resident farmers of the province. On 10:00 a.m. PST of April 1, 2016, the farmer-demonstrators' permit to rally expired. On the same day, the police, led by security personnel under Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum, along with personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development conducted operations to clear the highway. They were tasked to act "upon guidance from Governor Mendoza". The goal of the clearing operation was reportedly to rescue minors who participated in the protests. The minors were reportedly used as human shield by protesters, led by Mindanao-based officials of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas. At 10:30 a.m., the incident started when the police tried to disperse the protesting farmers. The PNP report said that the police were attacked with poles, pieces of wood, and large rocks by protesters before the police could commence their operation. A fire truck was deployed in the area. According to Norma Capuyan, the leader of the farmer's group, the PNP tried to disperse the protesters with water cannons before the police opened fire. Capuyan said that she and her fellow protesters ran into a church compound that was later surrounded by the police. The