Burgos’ mom, supporters file criminal raps vs military officers

MANILA, Philippines—The mother of missing activist Jonas Burgos on Thursday filed a criminal complaint with the Department of Justice against military officers tagged by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in the disappearance of the son of the late anti-Marcos publisher Jose Burgos.

Along with relatives, supporters and human rights activists, Editha Burgos filed her 15-page complaint-affidavit for arbitrary detention against Major Harry Baliaga Jr., Lieutenant Colonel Melquaides Feliciano, Col. Eduardo Ano and several unidentified soldiers.

The complaint was submitted to Assistant State Prosecutor Vimar Barcellano for preliminary investigation. The DOJ will gather the evidence and determine if the case has enough proof for prosecution in the courts.

Edita Burgos also accused former Armed Forces chiefs of staff Hermogenes Esperon and Alexander Yano, retired Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino and retired Philippine National Police chief Avelino Razon of violating Presidential Decree 1829.

“They made false returns to the Court of Appeals when they were asked to submit their reply for the petition for a writ of habeas corpus that we filed,” the mother of the missing activist told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Baliaga, then a member of the Army’s 56th Infantry Batallion, was earlier identified by the CHR as among those responsible for the April 28, 2007, abduction of Jonas Burgos.