MTRCB lifts 'X' rating, gives Jonas film an R-13

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) took back its "X" rating on a short independent film which tackled the abduction of agriculturist Jonas Burgos, his family said Tuesday. In a text message, Jonas's brother Jose Luis "JL" Burgos said the second review committee of the MTRCB gave the film Rights an "R-13" or "restricted-13" rating. An "R-13" rating means the film is meant to be watched only by people over 13 years old. "We went to the MTRCB to appeal their decision. Deliberation type. It just ended. The X rating has been canceled," JL said in Filipino. He said Jonas's supporters trooped to the MTRCB to appeal the decision. The appeal process was described as "deliberation-type." Rights is a collection of public service advertisements containing 15 short works by Filipino independent filmmakers supporting calls for Jonas's release. It was supposed to be shown publicly at the Robinsons Galleria Cinema 3 last September 21. The Free Jonas Burgos Movement website quoted MTRCB's first findings on Rights as saying that, "Scenes in this films are presented unfairly, one-sided, and undermines the faith and confidence of the people in the government and duly constituted authorities, thus, not fit for public viewing." The MTRCB is an office under the Office of the President. Militant groups have earlier called upon President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to take responsibility over the spate of killings and enforced disappearances, including Jonas's abduction last April 28 at a Quezon City shopping mall. The short film entitled "Where Is Jonas?" was included in Rights and is now available for viewing at online video sharing site YouTube. It features a photo of Jonas's father, the late freedom fighter Jose Burgos, smiling in the company of two boys. However, the boy on the right flickers, then disappears. - GMANews.TV