MANILA, Philippines?Six political prisoners in Bohol on Wednesday are on hunger strike to press President Benigno Aquino III to release all political prisoners and scrap the government?s anti-insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya.

In a news release, five leaders of peasant organizations and one prisoner jailed on charges of rebellion said they have written to the president, arguing that the past administration's political prisoners are "victims of gross human rights violations and political persecution, and corruption."

The six prisoners cited the case of the so-called Morong 43, volunteer health workers ?falsely charged with rebellion and illegal possession of firearms as part of the legal offensives of the Arroyo administration.?

The prisoners also asked President Aquino to resume peace talks with the National Democratic Front and scrap Oplan Bantay Laya.

According to them, the anti-insurgency program "served as a blueprint for the victimization of more than 1,000 victims of extra-judicial killings, more than 200 victims of enforced disappearances, and more than 300 political prisoners whose human rights were violated."