You vowed to help, Edita Burgos reminds Aquino

Jonas Burgos. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Exactly seven years after the abduction of farmer-activist Jonas Burgos, his mother Edita has reminded President Aquino of his promise to conduct a “dedicated and exhaustive investigation” that would eventually reunite her with her son.

In an open letter to President Aquino on Sunday, Edita expressed doubt whether the truth about Jonas’ disappearance would be revealed while the President is still in office.

“Our hope was anchored on your promise to do what you could ‘on the basis of evidence’ when I, accompanied by my son, personally pleaded for your help. This was almost four years ago, May 2010,” she wrote.

Jonas, the middle son of Edita and the late veteran journalist Jose Burgos Jr., was believed seized by military agents at a Quezon City mall on April 28, 2007.

In her letter, Edita lamented that even after the Commission on Human Rights’ (CHR) report to the Supreme Court naming Maj. Harry Baliaga Jr. as the principal abductor of Jonas was upheld on July 5, 2011, the military has failed to produce her son.

“In spite of the unfulfilled Supreme Court order to produce Jonas, no one has been penalized or found accountable,” she said.

“Meanwhile, those we believe were responsible for giving the orders to abduct Jonas were promoted and even appointed to crucial positions which could enhance and encourage the climate of impunity now prevalent in our country,” she added.

Edita said that on April 1 and again on April 4, 2013, the President issued a directive to the Department of Justice to order the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a “focused, dedicated and exhaustive investigation on the Jonas Burgos case … to ferret out the truth…”

She said that more than a year had passed since the order was given but the President “has not acted on the case as promised.”