Groups storm DOJ for dropping military, police in Burgos case

MANILA, Philippines - Members of rights group Karapatan and organization of victims of enforced disappearances trooped to the Department of Justice in Manila on Friday to protest the dismissal of charges against active and former police and military officers in the abduction of activist Jonas Burgos.

"Pwedeng kasuhan ang kamay ng krimen pero ang utak ay hindi?" Lorena Santos, daughter of a desaparecido and secretary general of Families of Desaparecidos for Justice  at the picket held at the DOJ main building.

Santos referred to DOJ's September 3 resolution, clearing military officials, led by Brig. Gen. Eduardo Año, from the list of respondents to the criminal charges of arbitrary detention, murder and obstruction of justice on disappearance of Burgos.

The resolution, reviewed and penned by Assistant Prosecutor Gerard Gaerlan, and approved by Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, only recommended for the filing of charges against Major Harry Baliaga Jr.

The other respondents dropped from charges are Brig. Gen. Eduardo Año, Lt. Col. Melquiades Feliciano, Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, former Armed Forces chiefs of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano; and ex-PNP chief  Avelino Razon Jr.

"Hindi pwedeng dinukot ni Maj. Baliaga si Jonas ng walang order galing sa superiors niya," Santos said.

Año was the head of the operating arm of the intelligence group of the Philippine Army when the abduction occurred.

"The DOJ decision confirms our apprehension about the much publicized creation of the Inter-Agency Committee on Extra-legal killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other grave violations on life, liberty and security of persons.  It is a shame that after announcing that it will give priority to the Burgos case, the DOJ as the lead department of the Inter-Agency Committee, exonerated the brains of the crime and the covered up for Año’s responsibility and accountability," Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general, said.

The groups called on to Justice Secretary Leila De Lima to prosecute Año and other military officials removed from the respondents.