KIDAPAWAN CITY - Several farmers were wounded after government forces dispersed a rally at the national highway in Kidapawan City, Cotabato province on Friday morning.

The farmers, who had barricaded the national highway for three days, were demanding the release of 15,000 sacks of rice subsidy as El Niño worsens in the province.

The protesters urged Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza to show up and face them, and the official then sought to negotiate.

At 10:30 a.m., the police gave an ultimatum to the protesters to clear the streets in five minutes.

After a series of negotiations with protest leaders, police started using their shields to disperse the farmers who stood their ground.

The Bureau of Fire Protection also sprayed water at the protesters.

Some of the farmers fought back by throwing stones at the police.

After the dispersal, protesters sought shelter at the United Methodist Church.

A leader of the group Bayan sustained a head wound before he was rescued by a former government official from North Cotabato.

There has been no confirmed fatality in the clash, as of posting.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) earlier claimed the police used guns to drive away the protesters, with some being wounded on the legs, stomach and arms.