(UPDATE) SIXTY-ONE farmers have been acquitted by a Kidapawan City trial court in connection with the assault case filed against them by 43 police and fire officers, citing the prosecution's failure to prove their guilt 'beyond reasonable doubt.'

Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta told The Manila Times that it was another victory for PAO that assisted the Kidapawan rice farmers after they were arrested by lawmen following a protest rally in Quezon City on April 1, 2016. They were accused of throwing rocks at policemen and firefighters.