Ma files case against alleged military abductors of her son

MANILA, Philippines—The mother of missing farmer-activist Jonas Burgos filed on Thursday a criminal complaint against officers of the Philippine Army, and the Philippine National Police (PNP),  who are allegedly responsible for her son’s disappearance.

In Editha Burgos’ affidavit-complaint, the following officers were charged with violation of Presidential Decree 1829, or the law Penalizing Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders:  retired Generals Hermogenes Esperon and Romeo Tolentino, Lieutenant General Alexander Yano and General Avelino Razon.

Charged with violation of Article 124 of the Revised Penal Code for Arbitrary Detention were : Major Harry Baliaga Jr., Lieutenant Colonel Melquiades Feliciano, Colonel Eduardo Ano, and several John and Jane Does.

Mrs. Burgos, in her letter to Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, claimed that the above officers “failed in their sworn duty to implement the law…worse and obviously, deliberately refused to uncover the facts.”

Based on the report by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Baliaga, Feliciano and Ano were among those believed to be responsible for the abduction.

Burgos was abducted last April 28, 2007 while eating lunch at Ever Gotesco Mall in Quezon City. He has not been found since.