The Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid (PKM) in Southern Mindanao yesterday expressed fears that the response of the Duterte regime to the current crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic might lead to another tragedy similar to the Kidapawan massacre four years ago.

The PKM yesterday enjoined the people to remember the Kidapawan massacre in light of the people’s unrest over the Duterte regime’s callousness and inutility in addressing their needs in the face of the public health emergency.

In 2016, state forces under the Aquino regime opened fire at protesting peasants and their families who were clamoring for emergency food aid amid a prolonged drought which runied their crops and livelihood.

“With the advent of yet another calamity following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, we see no difference in the hostile and negligent response of the US-Duterte regime,” said Restituto Baguer, PKM-SMR spokesperson. “The Covid-19 pandemic (not only) puts majority of Filipinos—peasants and agri-workers—at risk of the disease but in graver economic situation as well.”

Baguer boldly predicted that “An extensive mass uprising is in the offing as poor peasants are currently restricted to their barrios and most of their produce are left to rot. As in the cities, they have no food relief, no medical subsidy, or any livelihood safety nets.”

The PKM is an underground peasant organization affiliated with the NDFP.