By Edita T. Bugos, OCDS
Message: Commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of the abduction of Jonas
The last two years has been like an eternity of uncertainty. We were able to proceed only because in these two years of affliction, the family has been blessed with relatives, friends and unnamed supporters especially artists and those in media who have provided all kinds of assistance. We have commended them in a special way to Him who will thank them. In my dialect “Ang Diyos ang mabalos.” (God will thank them.)
Jonas was taken by armed men and a woman last April 28, 2007 at the Hapag Kainan Restaurant, Ever Gotesco Mall in Quezon City at broad daylight in the view of hundreds of mall goers. Since then we have been praying, appealing, filing cases, searching, yet nothing is known of Jonas’ fate. What is certain is that the perpetrators used a car with car plate TAB 194 which at the time of abduction was in the custody of the 56th Infantry Batallion. And what is more certain is that the state actors have all participated in the cover up so that I would not find out what truly happened.
Jonas remains to be missing, two years after. We, the family and friends of Jonas have not given up. We have been constant and consistent in our efforts to locate him. We shall not forget. Though the forces of evil, now present in the very institutions that are vowed to protect the people, shroud the truth about what befell Jonas, we believe that in His time and our perfect time, the truth will be known and justice will be served.
Jonas like the palay (rice grain) remains to be the symbol of the most basic aspiration of the true-blooded Filipino, to be able to serve one’s country . . . and to a farmer, like Jonas, service would be to produce food for the ordinary Filipino. . . and more than just to produce food, when it was asked of him, to be planted so that he would grow to produce more grains to feed more and to serve more. Did Jesus not say “Unless the grain falls to the ground and dies he cannot live again’?
Jonas continues to live in our hearts. The Burgos family is one with Jonas in his aspirations to serve the Philippines. At this time, this is spelled out as fighting against human rights violations, which also means opposing the perpetrators of disappearances and extra judicial killings.
In his lifetime. Jose Burgos Jr., Jonas’ father, gave everything to fight for press freedom and the freedom of each one to express what he believes in. After his death, Jonas, his son, is deprived of the very same freedom Joe successfully obtained with so many others when democracy was restored to the Philippines after the dictatorship.
We have stated again and again… we shall not be cowed into silence, nor terrorized into paralysis. Though we be ‘ambassadors in chains’, we shall be given the courage and the words to speak the truth.
We now ask all who read and hear this message to pray for those who participated in the abduction, the detention, the torture, and all that Jonas suffered in their hands. Please pray that they the perpetrators would be touched by the Spirit and come out to clean their hands of the blood it is stained with. Our Lord is the God of mercy. If they seek forgiveness they will be forgiven and they shall obtain peace in their hearts. They must come out and say where we can find Jonas.
Note:
Tomorrow we will be commemorating the 2nd year anniversary of the abduction of Jonas with a Holy Mass to be celebrated by Fr. Robert Reyes, 9:00 am, in front of the Camp Aguinaldo Gate, Santolan St.. We invite everyone to join the family and friends of Jonas.
Reference: JL Burgos
09162684737
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Mrs B last play date
Pinky Amador plays Mrs. B on Tuesday, 28 April, 8 pm at Ten02 Bar & Resto, Sct. Ybardollaza cor Timog Ave., Q.C. The 1 act play which premiered last week in the same venue is about the struggles of Mrs. Burgos, mother of missing activist Jonas Burgos, and the plight of her family in their continued search for Jonas. The last play date falls on the 2nd aniverssary of the abduction of Jonas. Tickest are available at the gate.
Monday, March 30, 2009
New case surprises Burgos Ma
A new case was filed recently for the enforced disappearance of Jonas Burgos. The petitioners were the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Edita T. Burgos, mother of the missing activist. Only, Mrs. Burgos said she never filed such complaint.
"This new complaint was filed without my concurrence or support," Edita said. "This is obviously to cover up the participation of the 56th Infantry Battalion and the Intelligence Service Group (ISG) in the abduction of my son," she added.
"This case never seizes to amaze me," Edita Burgos said. The mother of missing activist Jonas Burgos was referring to the subpoena she received days before her son's birthday. Mrs. Burgos disclosed that in a letter dated March 5, 2008, Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony D. Fadullon has stated that there is no pendng investigation on the disappearance of Jonas as no case has yet been referred by the Philippine National Police.
Mrs. Burgos filed only two cases which have been decided by the Court of Appeals--Petitions for Writ of Habeas Corpus and Writ of Amparo. Both cases are now under review by the Supreme Court.
The latest complaint was filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) titled CIDG-Editha T. Burgos vs. Delfin De Guzman, et al. I.S. No. 2008-846. It is seeking to charge De Guzman for the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of Jonas.
Guzman was a suspected NPA leader who was arrested in Norzagaray, Bulacan in 2006, a year before Jonas was abducted.
Guzman was pinpointed as mastermind of the abduction by Melissa Reyes, Emerito Lipio and Marlon Manuel.
"The statements of the three were most likely the basis for the latest case", Mrs. Burgos surmised. Reyes, Lipio, and Manuel were presented by the police to the media in 2007 as key witnesses to the abduction of Jonas.
Earlier reports, however, revealed that each of the witnesses had already been under the custody of the police or military before of Jonas Abduction.
Lipio, along with six other militant members of the driver's federation Piston in Central Luzon, was abducted in Angeles City on July 23, 2006. Among the units implicated in the abduction were the Army's 56th and 69th IB. The abducted activists were eventually released, except for Lipio. He remained missing and surfaced only when he was presented to the media on August 28, 2007.
Reyes Is a rebel-returnee who, based on her testimony, reports regularly to the military.
"I read the affidavits of these three persons" Edita said. "But the overwhelming evidences point towards the 56th IB and the ISG."
Jonas was tagged by the military as a member of the NPA. He was abducted April 28, 2007 by four armed men and a woman while having lunch at the Hapag Kainan in Ever Gotesco. Witnesses said that Jonas was dragged into a maroon Toyota Revo van with Plate number TAB 194. Earlier investigation of the PNP-CIDG traced the plate number to an impounded vehicle at the 56th IB headquarters Philippine Army Camp in Norzagaray, Bulacan.
Jonas is a member of Alyansang Magbubukid ng Bulacan who teaches organic farming to farmers. He has been missing for 701 days and turns 39 years old today (March 29, 2009).
"This new complaint was filed without my concurrence or support," Edita said. "This is obviously to cover up the participation of the 56th Infantry Battalion and the Intelligence Service Group (ISG) in the abduction of my son," she added.
"This case never seizes to amaze me," Edita Burgos said. The mother of missing activist Jonas Burgos was referring to the subpoena she received days before her son's birthday. Mrs. Burgos disclosed that in a letter dated March 5, 2008, Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony D. Fadullon has stated that there is no pendng investigation on the disappearance of Jonas as no case has yet been referred by the Philippine National Police.
Mrs. Burgos filed only two cases which have been decided by the Court of Appeals--Petitions for Writ of Habeas Corpus and Writ of Amparo. Both cases are now under review by the Supreme Court.
The latest complaint was filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) titled CIDG-Editha T. Burgos vs. Delfin De Guzman, et al. I.S. No. 2008-846. It is seeking to charge De Guzman for the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of Jonas.
Guzman was a suspected NPA leader who was arrested in Norzagaray, Bulacan in 2006, a year before Jonas was abducted.
Guzman was pinpointed as mastermind of the abduction by Melissa Reyes, Emerito Lipio and Marlon Manuel.
"The statements of the three were most likely the basis for the latest case", Mrs. Burgos surmised. Reyes, Lipio, and Manuel were presented by the police to the media in 2007 as key witnesses to the abduction of Jonas.
Earlier reports, however, revealed that each of the witnesses had already been under the custody of the police or military before of Jonas Abduction.
Lipio, along with six other militant members of the driver's federation Piston in Central Luzon, was abducted in Angeles City on July 23, 2006. Among the units implicated in the abduction were the Army's 56th and 69th IB. The abducted activists were eventually released, except for Lipio. He remained missing and surfaced only when he was presented to the media on August 28, 2007.
Reyes Is a rebel-returnee who, based on her testimony, reports regularly to the military.
"I read the affidavits of these three persons" Edita said. "But the overwhelming evidences point towards the 56th IB and the ISG."
Jonas was tagged by the military as a member of the NPA. He was abducted April 28, 2007 by four armed men and a woman while having lunch at the Hapag Kainan in Ever Gotesco. Witnesses said that Jonas was dragged into a maroon Toyota Revo van with Plate number TAB 194. Earlier investigation of the PNP-CIDG traced the plate number to an impounded vehicle at the 56th IB headquarters Philippine Army Camp in Norzagaray, Bulacan.
Jonas is a member of Alyansang Magbubukid ng Bulacan who teaches organic farming to farmers. He has been missing for 701 days and turns 39 years old today (March 29, 2009).
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Christmas 2008
As I was going through the old copies of Malaya, I came across the following editorial which was written by my father, Jose G. Burgos, Jr. for the WE Forum newspaper in 1978. For several years, it has been the main opinion piece for the Christmas issue of WE Forum and Malaya newspapers.
Reading the piece again gave me goose bumps as I struggled to keep tears from flowing. Memories of Dads flashed through my mind and I could almost feel his arm around my shoulder as I read on.
After 30 years, I asked myself: Has anything changed? I guess not. I believe that in some aspects, things have gotten worse.
I hope this article would touch your hearts as it has touched mine. Have a meaningful Christmas!
Peachy Burgos
JESUS CHRIST SUBVERSIVE
By: Jose G. Burgos, Jr.
Two thousand eight years ago, an out of town couple --the woman heavy with child--was turned away from an inn and the wife was forced to give birth to a baby boy inside a barren, dingy cave which served as a stable. This baby was thus born a squatter.
The boy grew up soon enough. His name was Jesus.
He wandered about the land, preaching about the rights of every human being to live, to love, and to learn. He was , in fact, an advocate of human rights.
In every town and city, but most particularly in depressed areas, Jesus, the squatter that He was, mingled with the lowly crowds --little people-- the laborers, the fisherman, the unemployed, the bums of His day.
He wanted people to open their eyes and witness the deprivations around them. He urged them to speak their minds out on every conceivable issue of the day. He opted for a free exchange of opinion and ideas, convinced that the truth will make men free. He was neither fettered by conventions nor undaunted by the talks about his sanity.
He did not possess any wealth. in fact, He was considered a vagrant. But the people who believe in Him, in His ideas, in His credibility and honesty, offered food and shelter to Him and His growing number of proteges who were known as apostles.
in speaking out His vision, many people in the established order, and those who wanted to maintain the status quo, collaborated to persecute and prosecute Him.
He was called a lot of names. Activist. Non-conformist. Professional Agitator. Subversive.
Because He believe in justice, He let Himself be haled before the courts to face His accusers. His apostles were rash. They wanted to revolt. But He cautioned them. They laid down their arms.
What were the charges against him?
That He conspired to overthrow the government, that He protested vehemently against the excesses and corruption of the oligarchs and power-weilders, against oppressive and abusive decrees and laws.
Hi trial was a mockery. And while under detention, He was tortured and humiliated.
But He took all this degradation calmly. for every abuse heaped upon Him, He gained added strength. he did not loses His spirit. After all, He was fighting for the ultimate in human endeavor.
The power-hungry, the military, the elite, the "malakas", the oppressors and the suppressors, had their way. He was sentenced to die--on the cross.
Jesus Christ fought--and died--for freedom, for justice, for love.
On December 25, we commemorate his birth anniversary. And as we, Filipinos, remember Him, let us ask ourselves: Was the sacrifice of Jesus Christ worth it? Do we have freedom, justice, truth, and love in our minds?
Reading the piece again gave me goose bumps as I struggled to keep tears from flowing. Memories of Dads flashed through my mind and I could almost feel his arm around my shoulder as I read on.
After 30 years, I asked myself: Has anything changed? I guess not. I believe that in some aspects, things have gotten worse.
I hope this article would touch your hearts as it has touched mine. Have a meaningful Christmas!
Peachy Burgos
JESUS CHRIST SUBVERSIVE
By: Jose G. Burgos, Jr.
Two thousand eight years ago, an out of town couple --the woman heavy with child--was turned away from an inn and the wife was forced to give birth to a baby boy inside a barren, dingy cave which served as a stable. This baby was thus born a squatter.
The boy grew up soon enough. His name was Jesus.
He wandered about the land, preaching about the rights of every human being to live, to love, and to learn. He was , in fact, an advocate of human rights.
In every town and city, but most particularly in depressed areas, Jesus, the squatter that He was, mingled with the lowly crowds --little people-- the laborers, the fisherman, the unemployed, the bums of His day.
He wanted people to open their eyes and witness the deprivations around them. He urged them to speak their minds out on every conceivable issue of the day. He opted for a free exchange of opinion and ideas, convinced that the truth will make men free. He was neither fettered by conventions nor undaunted by the talks about his sanity.
He did not possess any wealth. in fact, He was considered a vagrant. But the people who believe in Him, in His ideas, in His credibility and honesty, offered food and shelter to Him and His growing number of proteges who were known as apostles.
in speaking out His vision, many people in the established order, and those who wanted to maintain the status quo, collaborated to persecute and prosecute Him.
He was called a lot of names. Activist. Non-conformist. Professional Agitator. Subversive.
Because He believe in justice, He let Himself be haled before the courts to face His accusers. His apostles were rash. They wanted to revolt. But He cautioned them. They laid down their arms.
What were the charges against him?
That He conspired to overthrow the government, that He protested vehemently against the excesses and corruption of the oligarchs and power-weilders, against oppressive and abusive decrees and laws.
Hi trial was a mockery. And while under detention, He was tortured and humiliated.
But He took all this degradation calmly. for every abuse heaped upon Him, He gained added strength. he did not loses His spirit. After all, He was fighting for the ultimate in human endeavor.
The power-hungry, the military, the elite, the "malakas", the oppressors and the suppressors, had their way. He was sentenced to die--on the cross.
Jesus Christ fought--and died--for freedom, for justice, for love.
On December 25, we commemorate his birth anniversary. And as we, Filipinos, remember Him, let us ask ourselves: Was the sacrifice of Jesus Christ worth it? Do we have freedom, justice, truth, and love in our minds?
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Sa Lahat ng Sulok--a photo essay
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.
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.
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).
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