Wednesday, October 24, 2012

ON MALACANANG’S BRANDING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AS LEFTIST PROPAGANDA


My son, Jonas, is still missing as so many others are. He was forcibly abducted during the Gloria Arroyo administration, and until now we have yet to get a categorical statement from authorities on the fate of my son. And my family had admittedly become vocal in our plea that military produce my Jonas.

To call this propaganda and to label it leftist is the height of insensitivity to a mother who continues to search for his missing son. I stand before the Lord, who is truth Himself, in witness of this truth.

Now, when you are looking for a missing loved one, is it justified to label you as leftist? Unless the definition has been changed, I would not subscribe to what has been officially said by Malacanang.   To seek justice and to right a wrong done to families who have been victims of enforced disappearances, will that be considered a leftist act?

Incidentally, a few days ago, President Aquino approved the promotion of several military generals. Among them was Col. Eduardo Año who was promoted to Brigadier General.

Col. Año is one of the respondents in the criminal case we filed with the Department of Justice for the abduction of my son. After one year, the case is still under preliminary investigation.

Today, I fear that the message relayed in such blatant act by authorities can be a justification for human rights violators to continue their abuses.

With Malacanang’s tough branding of human rights violations as leftist propaganda, are the authorities now saying that I will never see my son again? 

Edita Burgos