There are two letters seeking to two powerful persons who will be making their historic meeting today.
One is from the longest-held political prisoner in the country Juanito Itaas, suspect in the killing of Col. James Rowe, to visiting U.S. President Barack Obama.
The other one is from Edith Burgos, mother of Jonas Burgos, who has been missing for seven years, to President Aquino.
Rowe, a member of the elite Green Beret in the Vietnam, was the chief of the Army Division of the Joint RP-US Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG) when he was ambushed and killed on April 21, 1989 in Quezon while he was on his way to his office. His driver, Joaquin Vinuya, survived the ambush.
The New People’s Army (NPA) took responsibility for Rowe’s murder claiming that the bemedalled Vietnam War veteran was a counterinsurgency expert who supposedly devised a plan to infiltrate the NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Itaas and Donato Continente were arrested in connection with the killing. Both denied the allegation accusing authorities of torturing them. Both were convicted for murder in the RegionalTrial Court.
The Supreme Court later affirmed the Itaas conviction but Continente’s charge was modified to accomplice. The latter was released in 2008.
Itaas is serving his sentence of life imprisonment. Human rights organizations have lobbied for the parole or pardon of Itaas but the U.S. government has opposed it.
In his letter to Obama, Itaas said, “Indeed, I sympathize to the family and loved ones of
Col. James Rowe, to the American people and others who were offended, violated and deeply hurt by the transgressions and inappropriate actions. Like them I suffer the same agony of being separated from my loved ones. I have suffered more than enough.”
He said his three children – Jarel, 18, Abbie, 11, and John John, 9 – “have never experienced what a normal and happy family life is all about.”
“Being a good and responsible father to your two lovely daughters, here I am, a father also who desires to provide, inspire and support my children with the help of my wife; and by doing so I can be an instrument to have a strong family despite a life-threatening illness that affects my health. This is now my only goal and motivation in life. By God’s grace, your valuable help and crucial intervention will help me succeed in this humble aspiration.”
Edith Burgos, on the other hand, reminded Aquino that today is the seventh anniversary of the abduction of Jonas by members of the military.
“We recall how a few days before you were sworn in as President of the Republic of the Philippines, we were so full of hope. We, my children and I, thought that it would be just a matter of time before we would find Jonas. Our hope was anchored on your promise to do what you could ‘on the basis of evidence’ when I, accompanied by my son, personally pleaded for your help. This was almost four years ago, May, 2010,” recalled Burgos.
Burgos updated Aquino of the case especially the identification by the Commission of Human Rights of Maj. Harry Baliaga Jr. as the principal abductor of Jonas on March 15, 2011.
The CHR findings were upheld by the SC in July 5, 2011, directing the military to produce Jonas.
Burgos highlighted the following inactions in the quest for justice for her son:
• In spite of the unfulfilled SC order to produce Jonas, no one has been penalized or found accountable;
• In spite of the overwhelming evidence that the military is accountable for Jonas’ disappearance, you have not acted on the case as you promised;
• In spite of your Order to the DOJ-NBI, there has been no ‘dedicated and exhaustive investigation’ on the case.
• Meanwhile, those we believe were responsible for giving the orders to abduct Jonas, were promoted and even appointed to crucial positions which could enhance and encourage the climate of impunity, now prevalent in our country.
“It has been four years that you have been Commander-in-Chief, yet we do not know the truth about Jonas. Mr. President, is there hope that the truth will finally be revealed while you are still in the position to make this happen?,” Burgos asked.
As the two leaders tackle the issue of regional security and economy, may they find time to attend to the appeals of Itaas and Burgos, matters family and human rights- the bedrock ideals that bind nations and humanity.
Bakit political prisoner ang tawag Juanito Itaas? He was convicted for murder. Kung pwedeng siyang tawagin political prisoner kasi pinatay niya si Rowe for political reasons, anong itatatwag natin dun sa pumatay kay Ninoy at dun sa mga gumawa ng Maguindanao massacre, hindi ba pulitika din ang dahilan ng kanilang ginawa? Meron bang dobol standard kung ang mga pumapatay ay NPA/CPP?
Itaas maybe Paroled, after serving the minimum (I do not know what is the minimum sentence for murder in the Phil, but in our CC it is 25 years for 1st degree before being eligible for parole and 10 to 15 years for 2nd degree depending on the impact on the victim families) and parole is not Freedom, breaking any condition of the parole is back to the prison the parolee go…Pardon is only to clear the Records and start with the clean slate…and every one is entitled for pardon after a specific time except for crimes not eligible for pardons…Clemency…very seldom given…you do the crime, you do the Time…Murder is Auto Life sentence and auto review by the SC…The ONLY DEFENSE FOR killing is SELF DEFENSE and must justify it to the Cops or to the court by way of the JURY, if the cops would not get convinced. There is no such thing as political murder of political prisoner…unless there is a declared state of war.
Correction..10 to 25 years for Second degree murder depending on the impact of the crime to the victims families and the aggravating circumstances before being eligible for parole…age and health condition is of no consideration…care can be provided in and or outside the penitentiary…
Hindi makakarating kay Nonoy at Barak ang mga sulat na yan, may haharang siempre.
The big O will not mind the letters even if they’re published/air in media, wala na pati yan sa teritoryo niya.
Kawawang aleng Edith, napu-promote pa ang mga dumukot sa anak. Habambuhay na hinagpis ng nanay!
Swerte nga si Itaas, nakapag-trial pa. Yung iba, nirarampa na lang. Kung nagkataon, wala na sana si Itaas, binaon na sa Ibaba.
Yun naman ang masakit kay Burgos, ibinaba agad. At hindi pa nakikita. Malas talaga, yung sulat nga ni Kiram kinamatayan na lang hindi nabasa itong kay Edith sa trash can din pupulutin.
PNoy himself has let go of the past and did not pursue the killers of his own father. Instead, PNoy busied himself with trying to put the nation in the right track.
With respect, if jonas burgos wanted to be found, he would have appeared to his mother even in a dream and tell where he can be found. Maybe by being silent, jonas meant he is content with death and happy where he is now, free from any form of persecution and in the loving embrace of the lord.
Edith burgos should not worry too much, she will see jonas again in the afterlife. His killers? God will deal with them, in time.