Militants commemorate Int'l Human Rights Day
Around 3,600 protesters joined marched rallies in Iloilo City, Capiz and Aklan to commemorate the International Human Rights Day.
In Iloilo City, around 2,500 protesters led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) marched in 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 Barangay Cabanbanan in Oton town in Iloilo on April 12 this year.
The protesters 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," said Bayan-Panay spokesperson Aurelio Bosque.
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.