TACLOBAN CITY - The Katungod, an alliance for the advancement of people’s rights of the province of Eastern Samar, will join today the 56 th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) Declaration of Human Rights.

In a press statement, Dir. Rodrigo Catayong, chairperson of Katungod – Eastern Samar, said that their group will celebrate by condemning the “wanton violation of human rights.”

Katungod has also called on all human rights organizations and institutions to join in condemning acts violating rights of every person.

“The church and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, we call upon to assert and apply its moral suasion upon the coercive and justice system of the government so that it may truly serve the interest of the people, especially the poor, deprived and oppressed,” Catayong said.

He added that their group is joining the commemoration as their attention was called upon by relatives of many victims of human rights violations in Eastern Samar.

Catayong claimed the most recent of which is the arrest of Gregorio Tadeos on Nov. 27, 2004 in Calbayog City was attended by excessive violence. “Tadeos” automobile and person were subjected to harassment, threatened to death if they should fail to reveal the whereabouts of Fr. Santiago Salas of the National Democratic Front.”

According to the Katungod-ES chairperson, Tadeos was arrested on the last week of November but until now, he has not been turned over to the courts or to the police.

Catayong has scored the Philippine government which is one of the signatories for its negligence of to prove that the country is true to its commitment to promote human rights.