We thank Leonard Reyes for his photo essay entitled "Sa Lahat ng Sulok (No Stone Unturned)" which is currently on exhibit at Newsdesk.
The photo essay depicts our family's struggle from the time Jonas was adbucted, the camp searches to present. Newsdesk is located in Sct. Madrinan near Sct. Tobias, Timog Ave., Q.C.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Let us march for the Desaparecidos
We invite you to join us tomorrow, 30 August 2008, to commemorate The International Day of the Disappeared. Let us all meet in front of UST, Espana, Manila, 1 pm and march towards Plaza Miranda. Join us as we march the photos of our missing loved ones. Please feel free to coordinate your participation with Mary Guy Portajada (09278249352). Your unselfish support is greatly appreciated.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
SEARCH FOR JONAS BURGOS CONTINUES siblings join art show at Batasan
The search for the missing farmer-leader Jonas Burgos has taken on a new tack as his siblings mount their works at the House of Representatives to dramatize their anguish at the disappearance of their brother, who was abducted by armed men at the Ever Gotesco Mall in Quezon City on April 28, 2008.
Dr. Edith Burgos, Jonas’ mother and widow of the press freedom icon Jose Burgos Jr., said the exhibit, to be mounted by Desaparecidos, an organization of relatives and friends of the victims of involuntary disappearances, would dramatize the anguish of the family members who have not stopped their search.
The show was launched at 1 p.m. at the North Wing of the Batasang Pambansa and will run until Wednesday, September 3.
Dr. Burgos said the exhibit would bring to the Lower House the plight of Jonas and other missing activists, workers, peasants, students and professionals.
The exhibit will deliver the message for the state to respect human rights and abide by the provisions of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and other covenants banning torture, kidnapping, illegal arrest and unfair trial.
Recently, the Court of Appeals (CA) threw out the complaint of the Burgos family against retired and current officials the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for their involvement in the abduction of the protesting Jonas Burgos, who was dragged out of the mall by burly armed men and driven off on a car bearing the plate number of a vehicle held by the military in Bulacan.
The CA ruled bluntly that there was no clear showing that the military was behind the disappearance of Jonas Burgos and denied the issuance of the writ of amparo even as the Burgos counsel argued that there was clear evidence that the abduction was done in consonance with the campaign to arrest and neutralize suspected revolutionary elements in Bulacan.
Unfazed by the legal setback in spite of documentary and testimonial evidence presented in open court, the Burgos family is elevating its case to the Supreme Court (SC).
Dr. Edith Burgos, Jonas’ mother and widow of the press freedom icon Jose Burgos Jr., said the exhibit, to be mounted by Desaparecidos, an organization of relatives and friends of the victims of involuntary disappearances, would dramatize the anguish of the family members who have not stopped their search.
The show was launched at 1 p.m. at the North Wing of the Batasang Pambansa and will run until Wednesday, September 3.
Dr. Burgos said the exhibit would bring to the Lower House the plight of Jonas and other missing activists, workers, peasants, students and professionals.
The exhibit will deliver the message for the state to respect human rights and abide by the provisions of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and other covenants banning torture, kidnapping, illegal arrest and unfair trial.
Recently, the Court of Appeals (CA) threw out the complaint of the Burgos family against retired and current officials the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for their involvement in the abduction of the protesting Jonas Burgos, who was dragged out of the mall by burly armed men and driven off on a car bearing the plate number of a vehicle held by the military in Bulacan.
The CA ruled bluntly that there was no clear showing that the military was behind the disappearance of Jonas Burgos and denied the issuance of the writ of amparo even as the Burgos counsel argued that there was clear evidence that the abduction was done in consonance with the campaign to arrest and neutralize suspected revolutionary elements in Bulacan.
Unfazed by the legal setback in spite of documentary and testimonial evidence presented in open court, the Burgos family is elevating its case to the Supreme Court (SC).
Thursday, July 31, 2008
DR. EDITA BURGOS FILES PETITION
July 31, 2008
DR. EDITA BURGOS FILES PETITION TO REVIEW
CA RULING CLEARING AFP ON JONAS’ ABDUCTION
Dr. Edita Burgos, mother of abducted Jonas Burgos and wife of the late press freedom icon Jose Burgos, has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to reverse the ruling of the Court of Appeals (CA) that absolved the military of any involvement in the abduction of son on April 28, 2007 at the Ever Gotesco Mall in Quezon City.
Burgos filed 60-page petition for certiorari with the High Tribunal and sought to overturn the CA decision, which found no direct evidence to hold officers of the 56th Infantry Battalion and elements of the Intelligence and Security Group (ISG) of the Philippine Army (PA) to the disappearance of Jonas Burgos.
The petition asserted that the CA erred in issuing its July 14, 2008 ruling since a wealth of circumstantial, physical and documentary evidence showed that Lt. Col. Melquiades Feliciano and other members of the 56th Infantry Battalion had the motive to abduct Burgos, who was confirmed by no less than retired AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. as known in the Order of Battle (OB) as “Ka Ramon” and suspected to be the chief of intelligence of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Bulacan.
His abduction was related to the arrest of Lt. Dick Abletes of the same battalion, whom Feliciano confirmed was apprehended for passing information to the NPA based on a video showing him talking with two alleged guerrillas in Bulacan.
Burgos said Abletes was arrested in March 23, 2007. The meeting in Ever Gotesco was set up and hatched by the 56th Infantry Battalion and ISG to “neutralize” Jonas, she added in her petition.
The use of a license plate, TBA-194, taken from the Toyota Revo in the custody of the 56th Infantry Battalion, and attached to a vehicle used in the abduction of the young Burgos provides another physical evidence of the role played by the military.
Burgos stressed that the military had the resources, intelligence information and the resolve to mount the abduction, noting that Feliciano was responsible for the arrest of Abletes with the help of the ISG and he had everything to gain by luring suspected NPA guerrillas to a trap in order to eliminate what he claimed was the “infiltration” of his battalion.
She asked the SC to void the CA ruling and declare the return of the writs as false and hold Esperon, former Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, Maj. Gen. Juanito Gomez, Maj. Gen. Delfin Bangit, formerly of the Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP), Lt. Col. Noel Clement, former PNP Director General Oscar Calderon, AFP chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano and PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. in contempt.
Burgos stressed that Razon stopped the investigation and later followed the AFP theory of the case and noted that the PNP chief was a batchmate of the other respondents, being members of Class 1974 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
She slammed the conspiracy of silence and obfuscation employed by the respondents and charged that the CA erred in not examining the circumstances thoroughly when it absolved the military and police officers of a false return of the writ and failing to take into consideration the testimonial evidence of Melissa Concepcion Reyes, Emerito Lipio and Marlon Manuel, all supposed rebel returnees who confirmed that “Ka Mon,” a military target in the Order of Battle, was Jonas Burgos.
Burgos likewise scored the failure of Razon to pursue the investigation and for taking the military line that the NPA was involved in the abduction of Burgos when witnesses had affirmed the vehicles used in the kidnapping ended up in Fort Bonifacio.
She stressed that she and her relatives and Jonas’ friends and associates remain undaunted in their search for him.
The wealth of circumstantial evidence and the documents that proved that the military had “neutralized” Jonas and bits of information from the military itself are indicative of the participation of military elements in the operation to abduct my son, she stressed.
This CA ruling serves to dampen the quest for justice by the relatives and friends of enforced disappearances, Burgos lamented.
DR. EDITA BURGOS FILES PETITION TO REVIEW
CA RULING CLEARING AFP ON JONAS’ ABDUCTION
Dr. Edita Burgos, mother of abducted Jonas Burgos and wife of the late press freedom icon Jose Burgos, has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to reverse the ruling of the Court of Appeals (CA) that absolved the military of any involvement in the abduction of son on April 28, 2007 at the Ever Gotesco Mall in Quezon City.
Burgos filed 60-page petition for certiorari with the High Tribunal and sought to overturn the CA decision, which found no direct evidence to hold officers of the 56th Infantry Battalion and elements of the Intelligence and Security Group (ISG) of the Philippine Army (PA) to the disappearance of Jonas Burgos.
The petition asserted that the CA erred in issuing its July 14, 2008 ruling since a wealth of circumstantial, physical and documentary evidence showed that Lt. Col. Melquiades Feliciano and other members of the 56th Infantry Battalion had the motive to abduct Burgos, who was confirmed by no less than retired AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. as known in the Order of Battle (OB) as “Ka Ramon” and suspected to be the chief of intelligence of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Bulacan.
His abduction was related to the arrest of Lt. Dick Abletes of the same battalion, whom Feliciano confirmed was apprehended for passing information to the NPA based on a video showing him talking with two alleged guerrillas in Bulacan.
Burgos said Abletes was arrested in March 23, 2007. The meeting in Ever Gotesco was set up and hatched by the 56th Infantry Battalion and ISG to “neutralize” Jonas, she added in her petition.
The use of a license plate, TBA-194, taken from the Toyota Revo in the custody of the 56th Infantry Battalion, and attached to a vehicle used in the abduction of the young Burgos provides another physical evidence of the role played by the military.
Burgos stressed that the military had the resources, intelligence information and the resolve to mount the abduction, noting that Feliciano was responsible for the arrest of Abletes with the help of the ISG and he had everything to gain by luring suspected NPA guerrillas to a trap in order to eliminate what he claimed was the “infiltration” of his battalion.
She asked the SC to void the CA ruling and declare the return of the writs as false and hold Esperon, former Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, Maj. Gen. Juanito Gomez, Maj. Gen. Delfin Bangit, formerly of the Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP), Lt. Col. Noel Clement, former PNP Director General Oscar Calderon, AFP chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano and PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. in contempt.
Burgos stressed that Razon stopped the investigation and later followed the AFP theory of the case and noted that the PNP chief was a batchmate of the other respondents, being members of Class 1974 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
She slammed the conspiracy of silence and obfuscation employed by the respondents and charged that the CA erred in not examining the circumstances thoroughly when it absolved the military and police officers of a false return of the writ and failing to take into consideration the testimonial evidence of Melissa Concepcion Reyes, Emerito Lipio and Marlon Manuel, all supposed rebel returnees who confirmed that “Ka Mon,” a military target in the Order of Battle, was Jonas Burgos.
Burgos likewise scored the failure of Razon to pursue the investigation and for taking the military line that the NPA was involved in the abduction of Burgos when witnesses had affirmed the vehicles used in the kidnapping ended up in Fort Bonifacio.
She stressed that she and her relatives and Jonas’ friends and associates remain undaunted in their search for him.
The wealth of circumstantial evidence and the documents that proved that the military had “neutralized” Jonas and bits of information from the military itself are indicative of the participation of military elements in the operation to abduct my son, she stressed.
This CA ruling serves to dampen the quest for justice by the relatives and friends of enforced disappearances, Burgos lamented.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Oral intervention of Edita Burgos at the 8th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
UN Human Rights Council 8th Session
Item 6: Consideration of UPR Reports – Philippines
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Delivered by Dr.Edita Burgos
Joint Statement on behalf of the Commission of Churches on
Interantional Affairs of the World Council of Churches (CCIA WCC) and
the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL)
Mr. President:
We thank the World Council of Churches' Commission of Churches on
International Affairs (WCC CCIA) and the International Association of
Democratic Lawyers (IADL) for their support to this statement.
We also take this opportunity to thank the States that raised serious
questions and recommendations during the UPR on the Philippines in
April. The continuing concern of the international community on
extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations in the
Philippines is reassuring. Such concern dispelled the glossy picture
projected by the Philippine National Report through its reporting of
formal recognition of basic rights and lavish citation of laws and
commitments.
During the April UPR, it was stated that the preparation of the Report
was done through a supposed "consultative and participatory process"
to fulfill the Government's pledge of "promoting constructive
engagement of the Council with civil society, ensuring opportunities
to gainfully contribute to the work of the Council." We maintain that
much leaves to be desired in such a process.
In relation to the outcome of the review, we note that the Philippine
delegation did not indicate any adoption of the recommendations of the
Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execution
especially on the changes in the counter-insurgency program being
implemented by the state and which the Special Rapporteur noted as one
of the causes of the killings and disappearances.. The filing of
cases in some and the conviction of four persons among almost a
thousand cases do not negate the fact that not a single military
person was convicted of such violations largely attributed to the
militarist approach of the Government to the issue of
counterinsurgency in the Philippines.
The reduction in the number of victims of killings is the result of
public outcry and international outrage. Yet, the impunity continues.
A recent case is that of Pastor Rodel Canja who was abducted and
subjected to mental torture in an attempt to force him to declare his
colleague, Pastor Berlin Guerrero, abducted one year earlier and now
detained on false charges, as a member of the communist party. More
than a year after my son's abduction, in spite of all legal remedies
availed of, including the much-vaunted new remedy of the writ of
amparo, I am still searching for my disappeared son, Jonas.
Mr. President, in the outcome of the review, the Philippine delegation
declared one of its commitments is to "maintain the momentum on
addressing killings of activists and media professionals."
May we know what momentum is it saying and what actions it envisions
to totally address the issue of killings and disappearances?
We respectfully urge this august body to encourage the Philippines to
abide by its pledges and commitments and implement the recommendations
of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary
executions.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Item 6: Consideration of UPR Reports – Philippines
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Delivered by Dr.Edita Burgos
Joint Statement on behalf of the Commission of Churches on
Interantional Affairs of the World Council of Churches (CCIA WCC) and
the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL)
Mr. President:
We thank the World Council of Churches' Commission of Churches on
International Affairs (WCC CCIA) and the International Association of
Democratic Lawyers (IADL) for their support to this statement.
We also take this opportunity to thank the States that raised serious
questions and recommendations during the UPR on the Philippines in
April. The continuing concern of the international community on
extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations in the
Philippines is reassuring. Such concern dispelled the glossy picture
projected by the Philippine National Report through its reporting of
formal recognition of basic rights and lavish citation of laws and
commitments.
During the April UPR, it was stated that the preparation of the Report
was done through a supposed "consultative and participatory process"
to fulfill the Government's pledge of "promoting constructive
engagement of the Council with civil society, ensuring opportunities
to gainfully contribute to the work of the Council." We maintain that
much leaves to be desired in such a process.
In relation to the outcome of the review, we note that the Philippine
delegation did not indicate any adoption of the recommendations of the
Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execution
especially on the changes in the counter-insurgency program being
implemented by the state and which the Special Rapporteur noted as one
of the causes of the killings and disappearances.. The filing of
cases in some and the conviction of four persons among almost a
thousand cases do not negate the fact that not a single military
person was convicted of such violations largely attributed to the
militarist approach of the Government to the issue of
counterinsurgency in the Philippines.
The reduction in the number of victims of killings is the result of
public outcry and international outrage. Yet, the impunity continues.
A recent case is that of Pastor Rodel Canja who was abducted and
subjected to mental torture in an attempt to force him to declare his
colleague, Pastor Berlin Guerrero, abducted one year earlier and now
detained on false charges, as a member of the communist party. More
than a year after my son's abduction, in spite of all legal remedies
availed of, including the much-vaunted new remedy of the writ of
amparo, I am still searching for my disappeared son, Jonas.
Mr. President, in the outcome of the review, the Philippine delegation
declared one of its commitments is to "maintain the momentum on
addressing killings of activists and media professionals."
May we know what momentum is it saying and what actions it envisions
to totally address the issue of killings and disappearances?
We respectfully urge this august body to encourage the Philippines to
abide by its pledges and commitments and implement the recommendations
of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary
executions.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Search for Jonas, a Year After
Geneva - United Nations
June 4, 2008-06-05
It has been more than a year since my son Jonas was abducted in April 28, 2007. Since April 29, the family has embarked on an extensive search for Jonas. We have availed of all the peaceful remedies provided in a democratic country. These remedies, both personal and formal, consisted of appeals to and complaints filed with all the concerned agencies: the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Office of the President and the Executive Department, the Department of Justice and the Commission on Human Rights. The family has likewise participated in various kinds of mass actions as well as prayer rallies and masses, which has merited the coverage of both print and broadcast media. We have also brought our case to the attention of the international community through the United Nations. And still Jonas remains missing. We, as well other families of desaparecidos in the Philippines remain at ground zero because we still do not know the fate that befell our loved ones. The truth has been effectively kept from us.
Evidences uncovered in the ten months of hearing (in 33 sessions and with 12 witness, 6 of whom were hostile military officers) has confirmed the family's belief that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the 56th Infantry Battalion is guilty of abducting Jonas and that the highest officers of the AFP are guilty of covering up.
Today, from the recent enforced disappearances, we still see that the culture of impunity characterize the abductions. We also see new forms being used by the perpetrators. First the individual is abducted and unheard of for 3 days then he is surfaced in some jail in a remote place with charges filed against him. Within the days that the victim is held incommunicado he is tortured by his captors.
The pattern in disappearances is clear. A person is disappeared and when his disappearance is published in the newspapers, this victim is demonized. Furthermore, the military feed the media with lies that the victim was killed by the rebel group because of an internal purge.
The torture of the families of the disappeared continue. With no one being convicted and the government being in a constant state of denial, as a result of which the issue is not addressed, much less solved, justice is denied to both the disappeared and his family.
To be candid, we cannot see any glimmer of hope coming from the government police forces nor from the government's executive department. To date, the case of Jonas is up for resolution by the court of appeals. I bring my case to your attention because I fear that there would be no other venue left to me. I must find my son and I pray that I find him alive and well. But to do this we must find the truth.
EDITA T. BURGOS
Mother of Jonas
June 4, 2008-06-05
It has been more than a year since my son Jonas was abducted in April 28, 2007. Since April 29, the family has embarked on an extensive search for Jonas. We have availed of all the peaceful remedies provided in a democratic country. These remedies, both personal and formal, consisted of appeals to and complaints filed with all the concerned agencies: the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Office of the President and the Executive Department, the Department of Justice and the Commission on Human Rights. The family has likewise participated in various kinds of mass actions as well as prayer rallies and masses, which has merited the coverage of both print and broadcast media. We have also brought our case to the attention of the international community through the United Nations. And still Jonas remains missing. We, as well other families of desaparecidos in the Philippines remain at ground zero because we still do not know the fate that befell our loved ones. The truth has been effectively kept from us.
Evidences uncovered in the ten months of hearing (in 33 sessions and with 12 witness, 6 of whom were hostile military officers) has confirmed the family's belief that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the 56th Infantry Battalion is guilty of abducting Jonas and that the highest officers of the AFP are guilty of covering up.
Today, from the recent enforced disappearances, we still see that the culture of impunity characterize the abductions. We also see new forms being used by the perpetrators. First the individual is abducted and unheard of for 3 days then he is surfaced in some jail in a remote place with charges filed against him. Within the days that the victim is held incommunicado he is tortured by his captors.
The pattern in disappearances is clear. A person is disappeared and when his disappearance is published in the newspapers, this victim is demonized. Furthermore, the military feed the media with lies that the victim was killed by the rebel group because of an internal purge.
The torture of the families of the disappeared continue. With no one being convicted and the government being in a constant state of denial, as a result of which the issue is not addressed, much less solved, justice is denied to both the disappeared and his family.
To be candid, we cannot see any glimmer of hope coming from the government police forces nor from the government's executive department. To date, the case of Jonas is up for resolution by the court of appeals. I bring my case to your attention because I fear that there would be no other venue left to me. I must find my son and I pray that I find him alive and well. But to do this we must find the truth.
EDITA T. BURGOS
Mother of Jonas
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Huling Balita Distros
Huling Balita, songs for the disappeared is now available in selected distros like
1. BOUND BOOKSTORE, Sct. Castor, Morato
2. POPULAR BOOKSTORE, Timog cor. Morato St.
3. MAGNET PASEO, 2nd floor Paseo Center, Makati
4. MAGNET GREENBELT 3, Cinema area, Makati
5. MAGNET GLORIETTA 4, Makati
6. MAGNET ABS-CBN, Mother Ignacia Q.C.
7. CONSPIRACY BAR, Visayas Ave., Q.C.
8. XAYMACA BAR, Timog near Sct. Torillo St., Q.C.
9. SARI'S STORE, in front of La Salle Taft, Manila
10. LA SOLIDARIDAD, Padre Faura St., Manila
Complete distro lists will be posted here soon. Please tell you friends about it.
1. BOUND BOOKSTORE, Sct. Castor, Morato
2. POPULAR BOOKSTORE, Timog cor. Morato St.
3. MAGNET PASEO, 2nd floor Paseo Center, Makati
4. MAGNET GREENBELT 3, Cinema area, Makati
5. MAGNET GLORIETTA 4, Makati
6. MAGNET ABS-CBN, Mother Ignacia Q.C.
7. CONSPIRACY BAR, Visayas Ave., Q.C.
8. XAYMACA BAR, Timog near Sct. Torillo St., Q.C.
9. SARI'S STORE, in front of La Salle Taft, Manila
10. LA SOLIDARIDAD, Padre Faura St., Manila
Complete distro lists will be posted here soon. Please tell you friends about it.
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