(UPDATE) Protesting farmers barricade Koronadal highway, opened it 1 hour later

KORONADAL CITY -- Thousands of farmer protesters blocked portions of the Koronadal Gen. Santos highway preventing all kinds of vehicles from passing through, as they pressed the government to give them rice,DXOM-AM Radyo Bida reported today.But an hour later, the group dispersed and returned to the regional center entrance, allowing the motorists to pass by.Organizers said they just try to close the highway. But police intelligence agents said the group has planned to barricade the highway anytime.The farmers who have been demanding rice subsidy from the government formed human barricade, brandishing placards that say Bugas, dili bala, starting at about 9 a.m. Sunday.Domingo Azures, speaking for rally organizer Anak Pawis partylist, earlier vowed the farmers will not duplicate the Kidapawan experience where major highway was blocked.It was not clear at this time what forced the farmers to occupy the highway two days after staying in the main entrance of the SOCCSKSARGEN regional center in Barangay Carpenter Hills.