Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Philippine president, on Monday called on Congress to pass laws to curb the growing number of extrajudicial killings and disappearances of activists and journalists that have drawn criticism from international human rights groups.

Mrs Macapagal’s appeal, in a speech otherwise devoted to citing her accomplishments in implementing an ambitious infrastructure plan, reflects the increasing pressure her government is facing over criticism it is not doing enough to stop the politically motivated murders.