Jinggoy: "Search for Jonas Burgos continues"

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada today declared that his contribution in the search for missing agriculturist Jonas Burgos, as well as other abducted activists, will continue.

"First of all, I share in Mrs. Edita Burgos' and all the other people's very touching celebration of Jonas' 38th birthday last March 29, even as we mark the eleven months that passed since the incident of his disappearance in April 28, 2007," Estrada said, adding:

"We must all the more persevere in finding Jonas and all the other missing activists believed to have been abducted by elements of the military."

Mrs. Burgos, together with other family members, relatives, friends and supporters held a Mass for Jonas Saturday at the OCDS (Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites) House of Prayer in Quezon City, declaring the occasion as "a celebration of thanksgiving and love" and the "gift of life" especially to all the disappeared and their families.

"I empathize with Mrs. Edita on her sufferings, and I admire her for her strength during this ordeal," Estrada said.

The senator noted that there was much information that point to the military as behind the disappearance of Jonas. He earlier called for a public inquiry into the case of Jonas' disappearance, allegedly perpetrated by agents of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).

"We must assess what the government, with our present legislations, is doing to protect human rights, and examine if there are in fact loopholes and inefficiencies in the laws that thus contributed to the current human rights situation where several activists, like Jonas, and critics of the administration have disappeared, while several others have been killed.

Estrada has likewise questioned the Arroyo administration's failure and refusal to sign the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances and endorse the same to the Senate for ratification.

Estrada also has pending bills proposing heavy penalties for acts of torture and involuntary disappearance of persons, and another measure seeking the establishment of a Philippine Commission on Missing Persons.