AFP to comply with CA order on disclosure of Burgos investigation report

By Ronron
September 7, 2007

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will comply with the order of the Court of Appeals (CA) for the release of the report of the military’s internal investigation regarding the license plate that was used in the abduction of Jonas Joseph Burgos last April 28 in Quezon City.

AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. told Camp Aguinaldo reporters Friday that they will submit a copy of the report to the CA as a sign of respect and recognition to the court order.

“It’s a legal court order so by all means, we have to follow the court order and the laws of the land,” Esperon said.

But the military chief hinted that the family of Burgos may only get frustrated if they find out the content of the report because it only centered on the license plate (TAB-194) that was used in the abduction, and not the actual abduction and disappearance of Burgos.

“The investigation on Jonas Burgos is with the Philippine National Police. Ours was only on the plate number. So our actions will be seen there (in the report) why somebody was relieved,” Esperon said.

“It (AFP investigation) was our way of ascertaining who could have been responsible for the missing plate number. It’s not for the use of the plate number (or) where it was alleged to have been used. That’s completely different. That’s the domain of the Philippine National Police,” he added.

Mrs. Edith Burgos, mother of Jonas, expressed elation upon learning about Esperon’s statement.

“I’m very, very happy that finally, he has seen the light,” Mrs. Burgos said.

But Mrs. Burgos said she will definitely be not disappointed with whatever is the content of the report because she was already aware of the scope of the AFP probe from the start.

“It’s one step forward. It’s an additional link to whatever we have. Remember that only the license plate is our link to the abductors. If we find out the names of those who were investigated, then we will take note of that lead,” she said in a phone interview.

Asked if they will pursue those identified as handlers of the license plates for possible involvement in the abduction of Jonas, Mrs. Esperon said: “I’m sure the court will find something there… Every little thing is important to us.”

The AFP has earlier reprimanded and relieved from their respective posts the following officials for alleged negligence in their job at the Army’s 56th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Norzagaray, Bulacan where the license plate was traced after the abduction of Burgos: Lt. Col. Melquiades Feliciano, Lt. Col. Noel Clement, Lt. Col. Edison Caga, Cpl. Castro Bugalon and Private First Class Jose Villena.

During a probe by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the five denied any involvement in the abduction of Burgos.

Authorities earlier found out that the license plates belong to an Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) that was intercepted on June 24, 2006 in Norzagaray for allegedly transporting illegally-cut forest products. The AUV was impounded at the 56th IB’s camp since then.

It is suspected that the license plates was stolen when the camp was abandoned for a while when the battalion went on field training maneuvers.

Police had earlier presented witnesses claiming that Burgos was a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) and was snatched by fellow rebels for allegedly pilfering organization funds and slowly turning against the movement.

Mrs. Burgos has belied this and maintained that her son was just providing training on agriculture technology to farmers in Central Luzon./DMS