Military hopes court verdict acquitting major in Burgos abduction will “put to rest the issues”

October 12, 2017

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed hope that the acquittal of Major Harry Baliaga Jr will put to rest the issues on the case of Jonas Burgos, the son of a journalism icon, who was abducted in a mall on 2007 and has not been seen since.

“We respect the decision of the court acquitting Major Harry Baliaga. We submit to the wise discretion of the court in ascertaining the guilt or innocence of the accused charged before it in a deliberate and impartial proceedings,” Col, Edgard Arevalo, AFP Public Affairs Chief, said in a statement issued Thursday.

“We hope that this verdict of the court will put to rest the issues that surround case that hounded the parties since 2007,” he added.

The AFP made its statement after the Regional Trial Court Branch 216 in Quezon City, acquitted Baliaga  from arbitrary detention charges filed by Edita Burgos, mother of Jonas,  on June 2011.

Arevalo said Baliaga, who was held at the Headquarters and Headquarters Service Group of the Philippine Army, is  now freed following the court’s decision.

Ed Olalia, lawyer of the Burgos family, said their camp is considering filing a case for enforced disappearance against Baliaga.

Other active military officials accused on the disappearance of Jonas Burgos last 2007 includes AFP Chief of Staff General Eduardo Ano, Major Gen. Noel Clement and Major General Melquiades Feliciano.

Jonas' father, Jose Burgos ran opposition newspaper We Forum and later Malaya in the early 1980s. Burgos was selected by the International Press Institute as one of the 50 World Press Freedom Heroes of the 20th century. Robina Asido/DMS