Court enters not guilty plea for Army officer accused of abducting Jonas Burgos

Jonas Burgos. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–One of the accused in the abduction of Jonas Burgos on Tuesday refused to enter a plea during his arraignment.

Instead, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 216 entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Army Major Harry Baliaga Jr.

Baliaga fused to enter a plea as he still has a pending motion with the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Lawyer Edre Olalia opposed Baliaga’s move. The court denied Baliaga’s motion.

Mrs. Edita Burgos, in a statement Tuesday, said “if indeed one is not guilty but is accused wrongfully, it would be very easy to shout to the world ‘not guilty’. On the other hand, if one were guilty yet desire to preserve oneself, he must wrestle with his conscience and the most convenient recourse is not to say anything,” Mrs. Burgos said.

Burgos disappeared on April 2007 alon Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

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