Manila - Filipino activists held on Friday a silent protest in front of the Myanmar Embassy in the Philippine capital to remember the first anniversary of a bloody crackdown by the military junta against pro-democracy protesters in Yangon.

The protesters donned crimson sashes and lighted incense sticks to offer solidarity and support to the Myanmar people in their fight for democratic reforms.

An estimated 100 people, including a Japanese journalist, were killed when Myanmar soldiers opened fire at more than 100,000 protesters in the streets of Yangon on September 26-27 last year. More than 3,000 people have been arrested in the subsequent crackdown.

Egoy Bans, leader of the Free Burma Coalition-Philippines, said the repression in Myanmar continues and the military has been arresting pro-democracy advocates.

Bans said that in August at least 39 activists were arrested in Burma and in the first 10 days of September 18 members of the opposition party were also detained.

"The crackdown has not ended," Bans said. "The junta is not just unable but is likewise unwilling to learn from the lessons of the Saffron Revolution. Instead of addressing the issues of the people of Burma, the junta stepped up its campaign to silence the legitimate dissent of the people."

Bans said that monks, who led the pro-democracy protests a year ago, were under surveillance and some monasteries have been raided ahead of the anniversary of the bloody protests.

"The strength of the Burmese junta comes from its army and armory, but history will tell us that no amount of guns and cannons can stop the people calling for democratic change," he said.

The protesters called on the international community, particularly the United Nations and the Association of South-East Asian Nations, to increase the pressure to force the Myanmar junta to institute democratic reforms. (dpa)