Military officer linked to activist’s abduction gets promotion despite mother’s plea
Eduardo Año. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Despite opposition from the mother of a kidnapped activist, Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) chief Eduardo Año was confirmed the Commission on Appointments that also approved the appointments of 68 other military officers on Wednesday.
No objection was raised when the appointments of the military officers were recommended for confirmation on the floor.
But before the plenary’s pproval, Edita Burgos, mother of Jonas Burgos told the CA’s committee on national defense that Año was a “human rights violator” who did not deserve to be confirmed by the Commission.
“The painful search has taken more than six years and yet my son continues to be missing,” she told the committee. Jonas Burgos has been missing since April 28, 2007.
“We reiterate our opposition to the nomination of the promotion of Brigadier General Año. We are against the promotion of General Año because he is one of the suspects in the disappearance of my son Jonas Burgos on April 28, 20007 at the Ever Gotesco mall,” she said.
Año strongly denied the allegation, saying he had no participation in the disappearance of Jonas Burgos.
“I vehemently and categorically deny all the accusations of Mrs Edita Burgos against me. I have no participation in the alleged disappearance of Jonas Burgos,” he said.
“The truth and in fact, I have only learned about Jonas Burgos’ disappearance on the news on TV and newspapers articles in April 2007.”
“It’s unfortunate though that the alleged disappearance of Jonas Burgos is still unresolved. However, it is an injustice that an innocent person like me will be dragged in this complaint with no basis at all…” Año added.
After hearing both sides, Ilocos Norte Representative Rodolfo Farinas moved to recommend Año’s appointment for plenary action.
Aside from Año, the CA panel also recommended the ad-interim re-appointments of 68 other military officers.
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