Philippines: A Kidnap Case

This is typical of the AFP(Armed Forces of the Philippines) reaction to cases where they seem obviously involved in a kidnapping or extra-judicial killing. They brand the person a member of the NPA. Often there is also a move to claim if there is a killing that it is a purge by the NPA (New People's Army--Maoist insurgents that control parts of rural Philippines)It should be noted that as well as the illegal banned NPA there are legal branches of the Philippine Communist Party and various front activist organisations. Several parties have representatives in parliament and many alleged front groups are active in labor and agricultural movements. It is often members of these groups that are killed extra-judicially. Also, those responsible for these acts often do not distinguish communists from non-communists but all activists are tarred with the same brush.


This is from the daily Malaya.

‘Stop demonizing Jonas’



BY REINIR PADUA




A MILITANT group that worked with Jonas Burgos before he was abducted last April yesterday assailed the Army for "demonizing" the activist to justify his disappearance.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino’s statement that Jonas is a member of the communist New People’s Army was "an added insult to the injury" inflicted by the military on him and his family.

Tolentino said Thursday that based on a background check conducted by the Army, Burgos "appeared" to be an NPA member since the ‘90s and is associated with the Front Committee 2 of the NPA operating in Bulacan.

The Army said it has "credible witnesses" and documents to prove Burgos is an NPA member.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said the assessment was based on documents and witnesses that he refused to identify.

"We cannot say his position (in the NPA) at the moment but he is occupying a significant position…His rise to the organization was fast," Torres also said.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said whether Burgos is an NPA or not, his rights are guaranteed by the Constitution.

He declined to comment on Tolentino’s claim, saying he wants to study first evidence other groups have.

Prior to his disappearance, Burgos provided training on farming technology to members of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid ng Bulakan, a provincial chapter of KMP.

Dr. Edita Burgos said even if the military has credible witnesses to prove her son is a member of the communist movement, that does not justify his kidnapping.

"Does that mean that because he was an NPA they are already right in abducting him and up to this point, he is not being resurfaced?" she said.

Dr. Burgos dared the Army to make public its evidence.

"What must be answered is where is Jonas…We are really pointing at the Army, the military because of the evidence that we have. Whatever they say about Jonas’ background is still irrelevant because as a person, no matter what his background is, he should not be deprived of private liberty. That is guaranteed by the Constitution," she said.

Mrs. Burgos expressed fear the military is making the revelation because it is laying the ground for "another announcement."

"But whatever it is, I still stand pat that whatever a person’s background is, that’s irrelevant. What they did (abduction) is against the law. That is what I’m saying. Even a rapist, a robber, even if you committed a heinous crime, you are still entitled to defend yourself," she added.

Torres declined to answer questions on whether the Army’s witnesses were also NPA members. He merely said they were "credible."

On the documents purportedly showing Burgos is an NPA member, Torres said: "It has something do with the organization… We have some holdings that he is indeed a member of the New People’s Army."

Torres said the documents do not include the open letter that was circulated through the internet weeks ago. He said the circulated document, which claimed Burgos is an NPA member, is still subject of validation by the Army.

Asked if it was possible that Burgos’ kidnapping was part of the communist purge, he said: "We don’t know. There are a lot of leads that can be followed why he disappeared."

On Dr. Burgos’ statement that Tolentino’s pronouncement only bolstered suspicions the Army was behind the kidnapping, Torres said: "That is her perception. What we are saying right now are the facts that we have unearthed."

"It was expected also from their camp because they have been consistently pointing their accusing finger to the military…We tried to follow some other leads and at the moment, these are the new things we unearthed," said Torres.

Dr. Burgos has tagged the Army’s 56th Infantry Battalion as behind the abduction. The license plates of the van used in the abduction was originally attached to a vehicle impounded at the headquarters of the Army’s 56th Infantry Battalion in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

Witness in the abduction said they heard Burgos shouting "aktibista lang ako" while he was being dragged out of a restaurant at the Ever Gotesco mall in Quezon City last April 28.

KMP chairman and Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano said Tolentino’s "grossly malicious statement" is part of the Armed Forces’ "continuing cover-up and justification of Jonas’ disappearance."

"Despite the people’s growing belief that the military was behind Jonas’ disappearance, General Tolentino still has the gall to criminalize and demonize him," Mariano said.