Does The Military Have Jonas Burgos?
Earlier this week, The Supreme Court issued A Writ of Habeus Corpus and ordered AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon and the other respondents to have Jonas presented before the Court of Appeals in Manila today. Gloria is also named as a respondent, as Edita Burgos was able to persuade the courts to issue the order.
But with this order, the military has kept its contention that they do not know where Jonas Burgos is. But this despite the military being the prime suspect, despite having ISAFP members being named by the former lead prosecutor of the case as key figures in the abduction. Sadly, our ever reliable Raul Gonzalez sacked the Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco for actually doing a good job.
But instead on focusing on Jonas’ whereabouts, the military chose to declare Jonas Burgos a member of the NPA.
What will the military top brass (MTB) say when it goes in front of the Court of Appeals later this morning?
MTB: We do not, or have we ever had Jonas Burgos in our custody. We have not kidnapped him, and furthermore, the military is in no way involved.
Judge: What is your proof that the military is not involved? Are the investigations over?
MTB: We have decided to not have any military departments or military personnel as suspects. We don’t think we have Jonas.
MTB: Furthermore, we declare Jonas Burgos an NPA.
Judge: What does Jonas Burgos being an NPA or not, have to do with you not being able to present him today.
MTB: Nothing, we just felt the need to tell everyone that he’s an NPA.
Judge: Presuming that Jonas is an NPA, does this mean that his abduction is justified?
MTB: Maybe. But it’s not the military who abducted him.
MTB: In closing, we would like to say again. We have nothing to say about the abduction, only a statement that Jonas Burgos is an NPA. Let’s not focus on his whereabouts, but maybe we can focus on Jonas being an NPA!!
In the end, every road leads to elements in The Military, and every road seems to be blocked by military top brass, eager to cover up the whole case.
Jonas Burgos was abducted last April 28, he is the son of the late press freedom fighter Jose Burgos. Jonas was forcibly taken by six men and one woman from the Ever Gotesco Mall in Quezon City.
The Burgos’ have served the Filipino people well with their integrity and courage, what will the Filipino people do for them now?
I have realized that, if indeed they have Burgos and they won’t produce him, the AFP (and in extension, Gloria Arroyo) has managed to send a very strong message – the Judiciary is still a weak institution, powerless to do anything.
First, rule by law. Now, skirting the law. Last, throw the laws in the garbage bin.