CHR to AFP, PNP: Find Jonas, 2 others

Find Jonas Joseph Burgos. The Commission on Human Rights on Thursday issued this "order" to the Armed Forces and National Police during its en banc session at the CHR head office in Quezon City. Commissioner Dominador Calamba said the Isafp (Intelligence Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP should look for Jonas "whether (he is) dead or alive." For her part, CHR chairperson Purificacion Quisumbing said security forces should also include in their search for Burgos his two other companions – Melissa Reyes and an unidentified male. Calamba said he expects the two agencies to submit their respective reports to the CHR on their initial investigation within five days. "We are not calling you here to tell you that you abducted the three. We’re asking for your help," Calamba said, noting that the Isafp and PNP have the resources in locating the three missing people. Quisumbing said that Burgos' mother, Edith, had personally sought the CHR help during a recent visit. In response, Maj. Ser-me Ayuyao, Isafp legal counsel, told Calamba: "We will comply within five days." Nonetheless, Ayuyao maintained that the Isafp had no hand in the alleged abduction incident, pointing out that the military intelligence unit in Metro Manila had no operation on April 28 on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. It was on April 28 that the group of Burgos was last seen. On the part of the PNP, Chief Superintendent German Doria, the newly designated PNP-Human Rights Officer, said an investigation is already being conducted to hopefully trace the whereabouts of the three. Former President Corazon Aquino had also appealed on behalf of the Burgos family, wishing that nothing happens to Jason. Burgos, a trainor of Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan, disappeared along with Melissa Reyes and an unidentified male at the Ever Gotesco shopping mall on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 28. AMB is a local chapter of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), many of whose members were killed in past years. Jonas is the son of the late Jose "Joe" Burgos Jr, former publisher and editor of the We Forum and Malaya newspapers, a pioneer of the alternative press during Martial Law. The elder Burgos was an awarded journalist and known civil libertarian and defender of press freedom until his death in 2003. - GMANews.TV