Aquino: Govt still searching for Jonas Burgos

A day after ordering the dropping of charges against the 43 health workers suspected of being communist rebels, President Benigno Aquino III reached out to the family of missing activist Jonas Burgos, reassuring them the government is still looking for him. Interviewed by reporters in Tarlac, Aquino said his administration is concerned with at least finding out what happened to Burgos, who disappeared in April 2007. “Hindi namin inilalagay sa limot, hinahanap namin. Gusto namin malaman ano nangyari sa kanya among others (We have not forgotten him. We are looking for him. We want to at least know what happened to him, among others)," Aquino said. The moves came a week after the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines agreed to hold peace talks in February 2011. Both parties have since announced a Christmas ceasefire from Dec. 16 to Jan. 3. More than three years ago, Unidentified men forced Burgos, an agriculturist, into a vehicle that was later traced to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The military has denied any role in Burgos’ disappearance. Last Friday, World Human Rights Day, Aquino ordered the Justice Department to drop the charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against 43 health workers who were arrested in Morong, Rizal, last February 6. — LBG, GMANews.TV