manila — Bayan Muna Rep. Satur C. Ocampo today expressed grave concern that a
son of press freedom icon Joe Burgos has become the latest casualty of
military-instigated abductions of social activists.
Ocampo urged the military abductors to surface Jonas Joseph Burgos who
has been missing since Saturday April 28.
“If they have a case against Jonas, the Armed Forces of the
Philippines should go to court and not resort to extrajudicial
measures,” said Ocampo.
“But what is his crime? Is it a crime to provide agricultural training
to organized farmers?” asked Ocampo, referring to the younger Burgos’
agricultural technology training for members of the Alyansa ng mga
Magbubukid sa Bulacan.
The Burgos family tends a small farm also in Bulacan, and advocates
organic farming practices.
According to human rights group Desaparecidos, there are now a total
of 198 victims of involuntary disappearances since Mrs. Arroyo assumed
the presidency in 2001.
Ocampo is the principal author of a bill banning involuntary
disappearances which has been passed by the House, and is pending in
the Senate. ###
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