Militant groups and the Church called on the government yesterday to address the increasing number of extra judicial killings, enforced disappearances, and curtailment of press freedom as protesters in Bacolod City marked the 59 th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In a rally at the Bacolod public plaza, about 1,500 protesters of BAYAN, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Gabriela and KARAPATAN-Negros called on the people to continue opposing the inhuman and oppressive policies of the Arroyo administration.

Earlier, in his message at a Peace and Human Rights Forum at the La Consolacion College, Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra said the pursuit of peace needs a collective effort and requires self-emptying.

Sacrificing one's pride and contributing to the collective effort of building a just society are needed and peace should be pursued through active non-violence, Navarra's statement said.

He added that peace has become elusive because of greed, apathy and sheer madness for power.

Also during the forum, former partylist representative Etta Rosales said reform in the security sector of the country, primarily, in the Armed Forces of the Philippines , the Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation will address the worsening situation of human rights violations.

Rosales said building bridges for peace calls for respect of the dignity of the human person and the government guaranteeing that people's rights are protected and respected.

Echoing the call for peace and pursuit of the peace process, former rebel leader Silvino “ Macao ” Gallardo said all sectors concerned should get their acts together and lay down the foundation of peace brick by brick.

While it is a long and winding road towards peace, everyone should go back to the negotiating table and address the problem, Gallardo said.

Meanwhile, in his message to human rights day protesters in Negros, Luis Jalandoni of National Democratic Front of the Philippines said there is a need to mobilize and organize hundreds of thousands of people to build up the strength to protect and uphold human rights.

In Panay, about 3,600 protesters also joined march rallies in Iloilo City , Capiz and Aklan to commemorate the International Human Rights Day.

In Iloilo City , around 2,500 protesters led by BAYAN, marched through the city's main streets before holding a rally at the Iloilo Rotary Amphitheater.

The protesters denounced the continued killing and abduction of activists including Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado and Nilo Arado who remain missing seven months after unidentified armed men abducted them in Brgy. Cabanbanan in Oton, Iloilo on April 12 this year.

The protesters also denounced the Arroyo administration for her human rights record.

“Her disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in extra-judicial killings, which have swelled to 889. Involuntary disappearances, including Bayan-Panay's Nilo Arado and Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado, have reached 185,” Bayan-Panay spokesperson Aurelio Bosque said.

Around 10 masked men holding placards denouncing the militant groups and the New People's Army held a picket at the Bonifacio Drive near the venue of Bayan's protest actions. They distributed leaflets against the militant groups and the NPA.

In Roxas City in Capiz, around 800 protesters joined the rally of Bayan and Gabriela at the Roxas City Bandstand

In the capital town of Kalibo in Aklan, around 300 protesters led by Bayan and Anakbayan marched in town's streets before holding a protest rally at the public plaza. *NAB/NPB

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