[In the news] ‘Burgos case to serve as litmus test for AFP’-PhilStar.com

‘Burgos case to serve as litmus test for AFP’
By Rhodina Villanueva (The Philippine Star)
May 4, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - The disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos will serve as the litmus test for the military’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Loretta Ann Rosales said yesterday.

Rosales made the statement in reaction to the move of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), on behalf of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to file a Motion for Partial Reconsideration to the March 18 decision by the Court of Appeals that held Army Maj. Harry Baliaga responsible, and the AFP accountable, for the enforced disappearance of Burgos.

The military is asking the court to reverse its finding that the AFP, as an institution, failed to act with extraordinary diligence in the face of allegations that military personnel took Burgos on April 28, 2007.

“While everyone, including the military, is entitled to due process, asking the court for reconsideration on this specific point is a different thing and may be taken as an indication that the military as an institution is sticking to the story that Jonas fell victim to an internal CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) purge,” Rosales said.

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4th Year of Jonas' Abduction - freejonasburgosmovement.blogspot.com

http://freejonasburgosmovement.blogspot.com

 
Please join us in a gathering tomorrow, 28 April, 3 pm at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Grounds as we mark the 4th year of the Jonas Burgos' abduction. Allow us to thank you for your continued support and help us remind the government that we shall continue the search until my Jonas and other disappeared are returned to us.

EDITA BURGOS

Statement of Edita T. Burgos, Mother of missing activist Jonas Burgos on the CHR report/Recommendation-freejonasburgosmovement.blogspot.com

 Source: http://freejonasburgosmovement.blogspot.com/

After almost four years of waiting we see a glimmer of hope. The report of the Commission of Human Rights is now in the hands of the Supreme Court. Our theory has been right all along. The evidence gathered by the CHR confirms our family’s theory that the Philippine Army is involved in the abduction of my son and elements of the police and military are covering up to hide the identity of the abductors and those involved. We believe, however, that 1st Lt. Harry Baliaga will not act without orders from higher authorities.

We laud the brave investigators of the Commission led by Commissioner Jose Manuel Mamauag for their exhaustive investigation.

Burgos Family Urges Government, AFP to Surface Jonas After CHR Found Army Culpable - Bulatlat

Burgos Family Urges Government, AFP to Surface Jonas After CHR Found Army Culpable - Bulatlat

Military officer in Burgos kidnap relieved - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Military officer in Burgos kidnap relieved - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Military officer in Burgos kidnap relieved

By Dona Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:32:00 03/23/2011

Filed Under: Human Rights, Justice & Rights, Military, Kidnapping, Missing Persons, Crime

MANILA, Philippines—Armed Forces Chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. has recalled from his post an Army major implicated in the April 2007 abduction of missing activist Jonas Burgos in anticipation of a criminal investigation.

Maj. Harry Baliaga was relieved of his duties at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City and was ordered to report to the Fort Bonifacio Army headquarters, as instructed by Oban, according to AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr.

Bigger fish behind Burgos disappearance, says CHR - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Bigger fish behind Burgos disappearance, says CHR - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

http://www.allvoices.com

By Leila B. Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:20:00 03/22/2011


MANILA, Philippines—An Army lieutenant has been implicated in the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos but bigger and more powerful personalities are likely involved, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chair Loretta Rosales said Monday.

Rosales told the Inquirer in an interview that she had reason to believe that Burgos’ disappearance was not a simple kidnapping committee done by some members of the military but was part of the counter-insurgency program of the Arroyo administration.

De Lima sees closure in Burgos case - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

De Lima sees closure in Burgos case - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

http://pinoyweekly.org

De Lima sees closure in Burgos case

By Marlon Ramos, Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:35:00 03/21/2011

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila de Lima Sunday expressed optimism the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) report finding some military officers liable in the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos may lead to closure in the controversial case.

CHR asks SC to hold AFP accountable in Burgos case | The Philippine Star News Headlines

http://fjordz-hiraya.blogspot.com

CHR asks SC to hold AFP accountable in Burgos case | The Philippine Star News Headlines

CHR asks SC to hold AFP accountable in Burgos case
By Edu Punay (The Philippine Star) Updated March 19, 2011 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) urged the Supreme Court (SC) to grant the petition seeking to hold the military accountable for the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos nearly four years ago.

In a 49-page report following its investigation as ordered by the SC last year, the CHR recommended the issuance of a writ of amparo ordering the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to produce the body of Burgos before the court.

Burgos, son of the late press freedom fighter Joe Burgos, went missing on April 28, 2007 after several gunmen dragged him to a waiting Toyota Revo van whose license plates were traced to another vehicle earlier impounded by the military in Bulacan.