Philippines drought protest leaves at least two farmers dead

Scuffles break out and shots fired in Cotabato province when police move in to break up four-day demonstration

Police have clashed with farmers blocking a highway in the southern Philippines to demand drought relief from the government, leaving at least two demonstrators dead and dozens of people injured.

Scuffles broke out and shots were fired when security forces moved in to disperse about 6,000 farmers and their supporters, who were protesting for the fourth day in a row in Kidapawan, the capital of Cotabato province, police sources and the Cotabato governor, Emmylou Mendoza, said.