Burgos Family salutes FJBM supporter and family friend--Alex Remollino

The Burgos family extends their sincerest condolences to the family of ALEX REMOLLINO. He passed on this evening at the Philippine General Hospital. Alex was a fervent advocate of Human Rights and a true supporter of the Free Jonas Burgos Movement. He helped tremendously in the writing department and always offered his hands to assist us to the best of his abilities. We thank him for his love and we will remember him as a true friend of the Burgos Family. Alex was a journalist and served Bulatlat.com. He was also a writer and poet.

Alex signing a copy of the book 'ipuipo sa piging'. Photo taken during the launch of the anthology of poems. Alex was a contributor. (Aug. 23, 2010)

FJBM reaction to the SC ruling

This is an atrocity against our family and against our people’s right to seek swift justice.

After three years of my son’s disappearance, and after a previous Supreme Court decision on July 16, 2007 granting our petition for habeas corpus, the same Supreme Court, in classic Pontius Pilate style, has now passed the case back on to the Commission on Human Rights for a “more meaningful investigation.”

We are, therefore, back to square one more than three years after the military and the police abducted my son. This, in spite of a writ of amparo we were granted by the appellate court in December 2007.

This is blatantly a whitewash disguised as judicial hogwash. The writ of amparo, much-trumpeted by the Supreme Court, has become merely a tool of the courts to further obfuscate and muddle the issue.

Citing “significant lapses” in the official investigation conducted by the PNP and AFP . Justice delayed is justice denied. But the Supreme Court seems not to be on the side of truth and justice but wallows in indecision and official deniability.

Despite the slow pace in the case, my family continued to respect the process even if we already felt that there was a cover-up in the abduction of my son by no less than our Iaw enforcers.

Now, do we have to pray again for the CHR to live up to this challenge of another investigation? But we have a CHR chair who is about to leave her post to assume a Cabinet position. Do we appeal to her to “please finish your investigation before you take on another sensitive post in government” this time?

I have consulted my lawyer Atty. Ricardo Fernandez, and he too was surprised that with the voluminous documents that were forwarded to the courts, the SC will now say that the Armed Forces of the Philippine and the Philippine National Police should make available to CHR pertinent documents and records. He wonders why the high court is again ordering a full probe of the case by the Commission on Human Rights when Jonas’s case had supposedly been previously investigated by the police, the military, the Justice Department and even the CHR.

Obviously the Supreme Court is washing its hands over the alleged cover up of the investigation. It did not even give a hint on whether or not the military officers and personnel that we have linked to the disappearance are guilty or not.

In the meantime, we are forced to continue searching for my missing son.

I believe that he is still alive, and his military captors must surface him. If he is dead, they must show me his body, and justice must prevail.

Edita Burgos' letter to the Supreme Court

June 23, 2010

The SUPREME COURT

Your Honors:

On the eve of the feast of St. John the Baptist, whose head literally rolled because he was a man of truth and stood in witness of it. I feel that the same thing that happened to the prophet, St. John, is happening to me. I write to you since I feel that this is only option I have for the High Court to listen again to my plea. Please bear with this mother who, in her desperate search for her son, has questions that you alone can answer.

I have read from the news reports that you have finally decided on our Petition, re: the Jonas Case. I cannot understand how your honors arrived at this decision and so I beg you to answer this mother’s questions.

We have prayed and waited for almost two years, and all we got was an instruction from our revered magistrates for the Commission on Human Rights to investigate the case extensively. Did it have to take so long for the Supreme Court to find out that the investigators made serious lapses? We were required by the Court of Appeals to submit our response in five days after it penned its resolution which we did but the Supreme Court took five weeks short of 2 years simply to say that it cannot rule on the case because there were lapses in the investigation?

We have been hoping that cases concerning petitions of the Writ of Amparo would be dealt with expeditiously by the courts considering the urgency of the matter. But today I can say with certainty that this is not so. It is a useless exercise. Do we really have to really add another 90 days for a case that you have been handling for almost two years? How can the eroded trust be restored? The better question is why should I even attempt to have this trust restored?

That the lapses were, in fact, efforts to cover up the identity of the perpetrators was what we consistently pointed out throughout the hearings. Now the Supreme Court agrees, yet why are the respondents not cited for contempt? Or instead, why was the commander-in-chief’s name dropped from the list of respondents?

We started our search for Jonas by seeking the help of the CHR where the investigation was unceremoniously closed when I was even unjustly accused of being ‘uncooperative’. We then sought the help of the Philippine National Police and then the Armed Forces of the Philippines . But we were just given a run around. And so we brought our case to the Department of Justice. And now you are asking us to go back to the CHR . Will this be a new start of going around in circles again? If the serious lapses were committed by the police, why are they not punished instead of passing on the burden to us, the victims, and to the CHR whose mandate to investigate is limited?

At the hearings names several cropped up. Names of people who could shed light in the abduction of Jonas and who can tell us where Jonas is.

Why has the DOJ not asked the CHR to investigate the case of 1st Lt. Dick Abletes, who may be undergoing court martial now, to shed light on the abduction of my son?

Why has the SC not asked that Col. Melquiades Feliciano, then commander of the 56th IB, be investigated thoroughly to find out if he was the one who implemented the order to abduct Jonas? And how about the intelligence officer of the 56th IB, Lt. Jaime Mendaros the author of the Order of Battle where Jonas’ name appeared?

Or why has the SC been silent on the participation of Gen Romeo Tolentino, then as chief of Army, in the abduction? Was he not the one who ordered the abduction of Jonas? And why has the SC not cited Romeo for contempt for lying in court?

Could the SC not just ask Col. Joel Napoleon Coronel, who at that time was the Chief Superintendent of the CIDG- PNP that started the investigation, on the results of his investigation? Or since the order to investigate thoroughly was given by the CA to the PNP and the AFP in its resolution last July, 2008 should not they be cited for contempt by the court for not following this order? For the failure of the police to do their job, why are we being punished?

Instead of rejoicing that the high court has finally acted on our case, I can only express my disappointment. It is very sad, indeed. Instead of ruling on our petition, the Supreme Court just passed on the burden to another institution . . . prolonging our agony, diminishing our chances of finding Jonas, and to make matters worse, putting the blame on us. Why is this so your honors?

The smallest ray of hope to find my son Jonas, pinned on the highest court of the land, but it has just been shattered. I hope that this is not an omen of things to come for all other cases of human rights violations.

Our search for the truth on what happened to Jonas will not end. We believe in a higher Court where justice will be obtained. It is this belief in the One Judge that strengthens our resolve to put our hope in Him who loves us. Even if this mother is at her weakest point, brought on by the decision of the Supreme Court, she boasts that He is strong in her.

With the answers to these questions, maybe the One Judge would look kindly on us who allow ourselves to be trapped by our humanity. Thank you.


EDITA T. BURGOS, ocds
Mother of Jonas Burgos

A Reflection Gathering: Human Rights Under Nine Years of the Arroyo Government

UNITY STATEMENT

We gathered at the Angelicum College in Quezon City on April 28, 2010
to reflect on the human rights situation in the country in the nine
years of the Arroyo Government. Our reflection was marked by the
stories of the kith and kin of victims of human rights violations and
how these violations have been brought about by the government’s
counter insurgency program through the Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL).

We shared the anguish of these relatives. We grieved over the
extra-judicial killings of more than a thousand people since 2001. We
were saddened by stories of torture and the enforced disappearance of
more than 200 people. We lamented the forcible evacuation and
displacement of thousands of people in the rural areas as a result of
military operations. We recalled with horror the massacre in
Maguindanao characterized among others by the fact that it had the
most number of journalists killed in a single incident. We expressed
alarm at the continuing detention of 43 health workers who were
illegally arrested in Morong, Rizal.

The human rights situation under the Arroyo Government is the worst
since that of the Martial Law years under Marcos. None in recent
years, can compare to the culture of impunity that characterized these
assaults on human dignity.

The statistics are no mere figures. They represent the scale and
magnitude of the gruesome impact of OBL. It is a counter-insurgency
program that has not made a distinction between armed combatants and
civilians propelled by the burning desire to serve and promote
significant changes for the better in the lives of people mired in
systemic poverty and neglect. The victims are farmers, workers,
community leaders, indigenous people, Muslims, activists, students,
health workers, churchworkers, lawyers, journalists, human rights
defenders and party-list organizers and volunteers. None in recent
memory can match the viciousness of the OBL and the human toll on
civilians whose only crime, if indeed it was a crime that warranted
their deaths and suffering, was principled dissent against government
and in favor of the welfare of the majority, the safeguarding of
posterity and patrimony of this country. The OBL is very much in
place. With the year 2010 as the deadline to beat. To meet the target
means more bloodbath.

To this day not a single perpetrator of these killings and violence to
human life has been convicted. It is a chilling indictment on a
government which claims adherence to democracy. It breeds righteous
indignation and fuels further discontent.

Our reflection bids us to hold high the struggle for the vindication
of the innocent and the punishment of those who willfully destroyed
life. Our reflection bids us demand of those in power that
perpetrators of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and
other human rights violation be brought to the bars of justice. The
Arroyo Government must be held accountable for the repressive OBL and
the death, disappearance and abuse of innocent civilians in the name
of counter-insurgency.

We are people who believe in God’s redeeming love and call to be one
people under God’s sovereignty. There can be no more compelling reason
for us to bear witness and denounce this travesty, than the call to
live out and bear witness to our baptism that calls us to uphold the
sanctity of life. One killing is one too many. Oplan Bantay Laya is an
abomination – an instrument of violence, bloodshed and defiance of the
divine will of abundant life for all. It must be stopped.

Finally, we issue this challenge to those who will be victorious
following the May 10 elections: fulfill your promises; give justice to
the victims of human rights violations; end political repression;
discontinue the OBL as a policy and never embark on any similar
policy; and, address the roots of the insurgency namely, poverty and
injustice.

April 28, 2010

On the 3rd year commemoration of Jonas’ abduction and disappearance

What can the Presidentiables do for Jonas Burgos and the human rights situation in the Philippines?

“Today, April 28, 2010, I dare all presidential candidates to make a stand on enforced disappearances, torture, extra judicial killings and other violations of human rights. I challenge all of them to bare their human rights agenda instead of wasting their time mud-slinging. I ask all those seeking the highest post in the land what they can do for Jonas and the human rights situation in the country because this present government of Mrs. Gloria Arroyo has done nothing to find my son and give justice to what happened,” said Mrs. Edita Burgos in commemoration of the 3rd year of the abduction and disappearance of Jonas Burgos, activist, agriculturist and son of media icon Joe Burgos.

Three years ago today, Jonas was forcibly taken by armed men, believed to be members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, from a mall in Quezon City while eating inside a fast food restaurant. Since then, the Burgos family and friends have searched for him, yet he remains missing.

“We have brought his case to the Court of Appeals, the Commission on Human Rights and even the United Nations.” says Mrs. Edith Burgos, “ Unfortunately, the CA refused to grant me the Writ of habeas corpus and the writ of amparo, the Supreme Court has remained silent on my appeal for the reversal of the CA’s decision, This petition was filed in August 1, 2008, more than 1 year and 8 months ago, meanwhile the officers whom we have charged in court have been promoted. So now we ask – where is justice?”

Like other families who have lost their loved ones through enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and other human rights violations, Mrs. Burgos has not stopped and will not stop searching for her son, Jonas. She will continue to seek for justice for him and for the thousands of victims of human rights violations under the present government.

According to the human rights group Desaparecidos, the human rights situation in the Philippines within this decade and under the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been at its worst since the time of the Marcos dictatorship. A total of 1,118 victims of extrajudicial killings and 204 victims of enforced disappearance has been documented by the human rights group Karapatan. The figures are only for the period of 2001 – 2009, add other cases that have been documented from January to April of this year, have yet to be added.

Aside from the enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killings, other human rights violations continue to be committed by the Arroyo administration. “If this is the case, then we cannot hope for any justice from the current government.” Mrs. Burgos stated, adding that with just 12 days to go, they have not heard any Presidential candidate offer their human rights agenda to the Filipino people. “What can Noynoy Aquino, Manny Villar, Erap Estrada, Gibo Teodoro, Dick Gordon, Eddie Villanueva, Nick Perlas, Jamby Madrigal and Jaycee delos Reyes do to improve the human rights situation in the country?” Mrs. Burgos asked.

Desaparecidos Deputy Secretary General Lorena “Aya” Santos could only agree. “In case these Presidential bets have forgotten, may we remind them that human rights issues – economic, social, civil, political and cultural rights – are the issues we as a nation must confront. Thus, we challenge those running for positions in government to present their human rights agenda to the nation and show us how they will protect the rights of the Filipino people. ###

Mrs. B

After a successful run last Feb. 5 & 6, "Mrs. B" will run dates yet again on Feb. 12 &13 at the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani. Please join us either at 3 pm or at 6 pm on those dates. To those who already watched the play, our sincerest gratitude.

Mrs. B at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani

On April 28, 2007, farmer-activist Jonas Burgos, son of Edita and the late press freedom icon Jose “Joe” Burgos Jr., was abducted by unidentified men and a woman while having lunch at the Hapag Kainan restaurant in Ever Gotesco Mall in Quezon City. He was dragged into a waiting van and has been missing since then.

Jonas’ love for farming and the poor farmers of the society prompted him to take up BS Agriculture at the Benguet State University. When he was abducted, he was a member of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (AMB), a provincial chapter of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP). While managing the family’s farm in Bulacan, he shared his knowledge with other farmers and introduced organic farming to them.

Since the abduction almost three years ago, the Burgos family, headed by Edith Burgos, has been searching relentlessly for Jonas. Mrs. Burgos has taken all the avenues --- courts, police, military, morgues, government agencies including the Office of the President, international organizations and the streets --- to look for her son.

Edith Burgos now brings her search to the stage with a monologue dubbed as “Mrs. B”. The one-act play will be starred by veteran actresses/directors Gina Alajar and Bibeth Orteza who will alternately play the role of Edith Burgos. It deals with the gamut of emotions a mother must go through in search of a missing son.

" We have failed to find Jonas by going to the authorities. We cannot give up. We shall bring our search to any peaceful venue available to us and bring our cause to the people." states Edith Burgos.

Mrs. B will be on its second run, the first in April 2008 with Pinky Amador as lead actress. Conceptualized and directed by Soc Jose of the tv series Darna and Full House, the play was written by award-winning playwright Joi Barrios together with Rowena Festin and Grundy Constantino of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines(CAP). It is being produced by Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist for Literature.

A joint effort of the Free Jonas Burgos Movement, Desaparecidos and CAP, the play will be seen on February 5, 6, 12 and 13 at 3 and 6 pm, at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani auditorium in Quezon City.

For details and ticket reservations, contact Aya Santos at (02)434-2837 and (0929)441-4270 or Peachy Burgos at (0916)782-6374.