As of February 2007, a human rights group , Karapatan has recorded 835 cases of extra-judicial killings, 201 forcible disappearances, and almost 400 victims of frustrated killings.  An additional 18 activists were killed and six disappeared since President Arroyo delivered her recent state of the nation address where she praised Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan for successful counter-insurgency campaign. Karapatan-Bikol has recorded a total of 137 extra-judicial killings in the region. Among these are the cases of Ding Uy, , Max Frivaldo, Chris Hugo, Ambo Guran, and Mr. Rodolfo “Pong” Alvarado. Even church people who were performing their prophetic role were not spared. Pastor Isaias Sta.Rosa was forcibly dragged out of his house on August 3, 2006. In 2004, Joel Baclao, a member of the local church of UCCP and the regional coordinator of PCPR-Bikol was also brutally killed near his house and in front of his wife and his four year old son.

Under Arroyo, 15 priests, pastors and lay church workers and a Bishop became victims of extra-judicial killings because of their political convictions and involvement in social movements.
The Church people are deeply saddened and concerned at the extra-killings of activists and human rights defenders. This is simply intolerable and cannot be condoned in a country that supposedly espouses democratic values and respects life and human dignity. Without a government seriously willing to investigate these killings and bring the perpetrators to justice, the country is destined for a bleak and uncertain future. We, the people of this country, deserve much better than we are getting.
The victims were once upon a time, loving fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters, all dreaming of a better life not only for themselves but for the country as well. They were prominent individuals, leaders and human rights defenders in their community. They were highly respected because of their conviction for truth and change. They were the ones who stood up for their principles until the last air of their breath.

The Church people in Bicol are challenged to reflect and respond to the calls of the times. The killings and other human rights violations being committed with impunity and victimizing our modern day prophets are deplorable and deserve condemnation in its highest form.

In the midst of threats and fears we stand as one and cry out:

Toll the bells to stop extra-judicial killings,
Toll the bells to demand justice to the victims.
Respect and protect human dignity.

Urulay sa Sirungan: Regional Church People’s Conference on Extrajudicial Killings