He said the destruction of the Bt corn farm was a major setback to agricultural research and development in Mindanao, and deprived farmers the chance to understand its benefits. Last Wednesday, close to a thousand members of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), and other nongovernmental organizations (NGO) uprooted Bt corn plants - at the flowering stage - in a half-hectare experimental farm.

A statement issued by the KMP said the uprooting was unplanned, "a spontaneous action when the farmers saw that the genetically modified corn plants have grown tall. NGO leaders based in Davao City also claimed the uprooting wasn't planned. "We were also surprised at what happened," an official of Konsumo Dabaw told BusinessWorld over the weekend.

The test farm was the second attempt by Monsanto to plant Bt corn in the region. When Monsanto first launched its field testing here last year, the city council passed a resolution that prohibited such experiment. Monsanto, however, secured a temporary restraining order.

Some farmers, however, support the conduct of the trial. "I am supporting the field-testing because I want to see the results and know the benefits that we, farmers, can get from such hybrid corn variety," a farmer, who talked on condition of anonymity, said.

But other farmers, especially KMP members, said such corn variety is hazardous to health and poses high risk to biodiversity. They would not stop their protests until Monsanto Philippines and Pioneer Hybrid Seeds stop their experiments. KMP members said despite opposition from the local governments, the seed companies continued with their experiments.

It was earlier reported that the South Cotabato Movement Against Genetically Modified Organism (SCMAGMO) had accused the Department of Agriculture of conspiring with Monsanto. The charge was echoed by KMP. "We are firm in our resolve that the government has always failed to rescue the people against such eminent threats," KMP said in a press statement.

SCMAGMO officials said the field test in Tampakan had even violated the maximum allowable 1,000 square meter area for the conduct of the trial and that it was also launched without proper consultations with residents.

Monsanto officials, on the other hand, said the field trial was approved by the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) last May after they complied with all requirements.  They also conducted local consultations and public information campaign.

Monsanto's local representatives said the company would sue KMP leaders to court for destroying the Bt corn field, and will even conduct another field trial to complete their study.

Monsanto and Pioneer had pending applications for Bt corn field tests in at least five areas in Tupi, Banga and Koronadal City in South Cotabato.

KMP secretary-general Gregorio Antales said they would face whatever charge Monsanto would file against them but warned that they too would take legal actions against Monsanto if they could prove that said hybrid seeds are dangerous to health.

"A farmer reported to us that a Bt corn seeds from another testing field had a bitter taste. The seeds are now being studied and would probably be brought to Hong Kong for further tests and once proven that it is dangerous to health, we will file a case against Monsanto," Mr. Antales.