The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Peasant Movement of the Philippines) issued a statement yesterday saying that 552 out of more than a thousand victims of extra-judicial killings are members of peasant groups, including KAUGMAON Negros Oriental chairperson Fermin Lorico, the 118th victim since President Gloria Arroyo took over in 2001.

Enforced disappearances totaled 129, and this is an all-out attack of the Arroyo government against the Filipino peasants, Willy Marbella, KMP deputy secretary-general for Internal Affairs, said.

Marbella and about 50 leaders and members of militant groups picketed in front of the Supreme Court at P. Faura, Manila yesterday, to appeal to Chief Justice Reynato Puno to act on the case of detained Randall Echanis. 

The KMP statement added that the Arroyo government is singling out their group as many of their national and regional leaders are being targeted for alleged human rights violations.*

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