The violent clash between policemen and protesters in Kidapawan City on April 1 showed detestable weaknesses in governance at both the local and national levels on one hand and the uncalled for aggressiveness of militants on the other.… By Tita C. Valderama.

Militant groups on Sunday scored President Benigno Aquino III for supposedly keeping mum about the bloody face-off between farmers and policemen in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, last Friday that left at least two farmers dead and several others wounded. By Aries Joseph Hegina.

Police in full battle gear faced off once again with some 300 farmers in Kidapawan City on Sunday, just two days after they shot and killed two protesters in the same city while breaking up a protest to demand government food aid in dealing with a months-long drought. By John Paolo Bencito.