Kin, Supporters Mark 100th Day of Burgos Disappearance

BY EMILY VITAL
Bulatlat
August 6, 2007 – 2:25pm

Dr. Edita Burgos, mother of missing agriculturist-activist Jonas Joseph Burgos, led a silent march from Sto. Domingo Church to Welcome Rotunda in Quezon City earlier today, marking the 100th day since her son’s disappearance.

Jonas, son of press freedom icon Jose “Joe” Burgos, Jr., was abducted by alleged elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) April 28 at the Ever Gotesco-Commonwealth.

The younger Burgos is a member of Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (Alliance of Peasants in Bulacan), an affiliate of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP or Philippine Peasant Movement).

Protesters wore 100 masks bearing Jonas’ face. Despite the downpour, they listened intently to Edita Burgos’ short speech.

“Ang mga mukha ni Jonas ay nagpapakita na marami pang nawawala. Si Jonas lang ang nasa pahayagan ngunit marami pa ang biktima. Hanggang nagpapatuloy ang pagdukot, hindi titigil ang Burgos family“ (The many faces of Jonas show that many more are missing. It is only Jonas that can be read in the newspapers but many more have become victims. As long as abductions continue, the Burgos family will not stop), Dr. Burgos said.

She said that the silent march symbolized the voice of Jonas being suppressed by the powers that be. “Ipinapakita rin ng ating katahimikan na sa ating bansa, marami pa ang pinatatahimik” (Our silence also shows that in this country, many are being silenced), she said.

Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Conrado de Quiros, poet-musician Jess Santiago, and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic AllIance) chairperson Dr. Carol Araullo were present in the gathering. Bulatlat.com