MANILA -- Amid the fatalities and injuries after a violent dispersal of protesting farmers in Kidapawan City on Friday, a Philippine National Police (PNP) official said they followed the maximum tolerance principle during the protest.

In an interview with DZMM, PNP-Public Information Office head Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said they employed a civil disturbance management unit in line with their maximum tolerance principle during the Kidapawan rally.

The civil disturbance management unit involved cops deployed in front of the farmers and they didn't have guns according to Mayor.

"'Yung mga naka-uniporme na may nakasuot na helmet at ito pong mga grupong ito'y walang baril po. Usually 'pag dinedeploy natin 'yan, wala silang baril dahil sila nga po ang nakaharap sa mga raliyista," Mayor explained.

However, Mayor admitted that there were some units carrying guns because they were assigned for the security of the area. He said they were not positioned in front of the protesters.

"May mga units tayo na assigned na nagdadala ng mga baril dahil part pa rin sila nung mga, kumbaga security sa area but not necessarily sila 'yung mga nakikipagharap sa mga raliyista," Mayor said.

Mayor said that they are waiting for the results of the official investigation and they are willing to present their side.

Farmers barricaded a road in Kidapawan City while seeking government help after they lost their cops because of the intense drought in the region.

At least two people died in the incident.