Update: Velasco said he is not indispensable
Car linked to kidnapping traced to Army chief’s office
Burgos prosecutor sacked after tagging Isafp agents
by Evangeline de Vera
Senior state prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco was relieved yesterday by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez as head of the panel investigating the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos, two days after he ordered an investigation of military intelligence agents and two other officers suspected of involvement in the abduction.
In another development the Burgos family asked the Supreme Court to issue a writ of habeas corpus compelling the military to produce her son and order his immediate release from detention.
Gonzalez said Velasco’s action “weakened” the government’s stand that it is not coddling Burgos’ abductors as perceived by the public.
“He (Velasco) should not have done that. He has no proof. He has placed the onus of disproving (the case) to the government. Hindi na nga naniniwala sa gobyerno ang tao e, dadagdagan pa,” he said in an interview.
Gonzalez said Velasco was relieved only insofar as the Burgos case is concerned, but he will remain as chairman of the presidential task force on media harassment. Velasco was handpicked by President Arroyo to lead the task force.
Gonzalez said the government is already smarting from a negative public image, but the effect of Velasco’s order to investigate the soldiers named by a witness might further bolster the perception that the military was behind Burgos’ disappearance.
“The government gets weakened by things that we can’t prove ourselves. Paano kung walang ebidensya laban sa sundalo? Unfair sa kanila, pero maniniwala ba ang tao? Ang iniisip ng tao, kino-cover up ng gobyerno,” he said, adding the military has been getting flak for missing activists.
Gonzalez also took exceptions to Velasco’s disclosure of receiving death threats, allegedly from the military camp.
“I think he was just excited to get into the news. To some extent, it has merit because it might give hope to the Burgos family. But what if these are false hopes?” he said.
Velasco on Tuesday forwarded to reporters a text message threatening him, but dispelled speculations the message was sent by the military to dissuade him from pursuing the case against them.
He said the message, which implicated Maj. Delfin Bangit, chief of the Intelligence Service of the AFP, could have been meant to mislead and disrupt the investigations.
Gonzalez said it was high time for Velasco’s informant to come out in the open and show proof that the summoned military officers indeed took part in the kidnapping.
Early this week, Velasco asked the NBI to investigate T/Sgt. Jason Roxas (PA); Cpl. Maria Joana Francisco (PAF) and M/Sgt. Aron Arroyo (PAF), and an alias T.L., all reportedly assigned with Military Intelligence Group 15 of Isafp.
Also ordered investigated were Lt. Col. Noel Clement, former commander of the 56th Infantry Battalion, and Army 1st Lt. Jaime Mendaro, reportedly assigned with the 56th Infantry Battalion.
They were summoned on the basis of the allegation of the informant that he has seen them at the crime scene when Burgos was forcibly taken by unidentified men while having lunch in a restaurant in Quezon City last April 28.
Bangit on Tuesday said the MIG 15 soldiers identified by the witness were not in the Isafp roster. The Army and the Air Force also said the intelligence agents were not in their roster.
Clement is now head of the Security and Escort Battalion based at the Army’s headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.
The Army has in its roster a 1st Lt. Jaime Mendaros who is now taking up a military course in Singapore.
Dr. Edita Burgos, Jonas’ mother, in a 16-page petition filed before the Supreme Court by lawyer Ricardo Fernandez, named as respondents President Arroyo, Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, 7th Infantry Division commanding officer Maj. Gen. Juanito Gomez, PNP chief Oscar Calderon and Bangit.
“The President has not publicly condemned the enforced disappearance of Jonas; her manifest reticence is as eloquent as her praise for General (Jovito) Palparan in her state of the nation address which strongly suggests her mailed fist policy against her political enemies with no regard to human rights,” the petition said.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Malacañang is keeping its hands off the alleged involvement of military men in the Burgos case.
Ermita said it was not enough to just deny the existence of the intelligence agents linked to the abduction. He said the military must prove that they are not really involved in the incident.
“Kung may mga pangalan, ang sabi ko why not bring them out in the open para makita talaga sa chain of command kung talagang bang ang mga pangalan ay andyan…Did somebody say ‘yes, the names are in the roster,’ or ‘no’ they denied that they are there? It’s for them to prove that before the public,” he said.
He said that if the persons named by the witness really exist, even if they are not from Isafp, the military must bring them out to get to the bottom of the truth.
Bangit has said he is not discounting the possibility that military units outside Isafp were involved in the kidnapping.
Ermita said the AFP and defense department should just coordinate and cooperate with the justice department and the NBI as “the important thing is let us come out with the truth.”
Ermita reiterated that based on information reaching Dr. Burgos, Jonas is still alive though already sick and getting thin, but he has no evidence to confirm this. He said he simply passed on the information to the military and other authorities for verification. – With Jocelyn Montemayor
Related stories:
Bangit denies threatening Velasco
As long as you have Raul Gonzales as Secretary of Justice, the Philippines Justice will always be Sub-Justice. He is the Master of cover up, same excuse, “Come out in open and you will be Next to Disappear”, asking for imformant to come out in Open. And who’s gonna listen to this Arrogant dumbAss?
Apparently Gonzalez said the government is already smarting from a negative public image, but the effect of Velasco’s order to investigate the soldiers named by a witness might further bolster the perception that the military was behind Burgos’ disappearance.
What is Gonzales saying here, that the AFP and the government is one of the same thing – begs the question “Who’s running the country or is it working only by mistakes and not policies”.
If we don’t allow lawyers to investigate and ask questions to named suspects how do we expect to get answers – how long do they think this cover-up can be allowed to go on for – its just band aid government which does not give a way forward but only backwards.
Another proof the ship is sinking, its sure to sink be patient.
“Gonzalez said Velasco’s action “weakened” the government’s stand that it is not coddling Burgos’ abductors as perceived by the public.”
Hahah! Idiot! It is not only a public’s perception that the government of poootha gloria is coddling Jonas, it is already an accepted fact by the pinoys!
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Malacañang is keeping its hands off the alleged involvement of military men in the Burgos case.”
What else is new, PONTIA PILATA!
Takot lang ni Gloria kay Assperon!
We are again being taken for a ride by Gloria Impakta thru SiRaULo, Assperon, Bangit and Ermita!
I directly blame the Pidal woman for the disappearance of Jayjay!
It is good that this fake government is doing everything it can to produce the missing Italian priest. But why can’t Gloria order his military to do the same for Jonas? Kasi ay alam niya ang totoo kung sino ang dumukot sa batang Burgos!
Si Gloria Pidal ang direktong ituro kasi ay wala siyang ginagawa, bagkus ay umiiwas pa! Ito lang ang pangulo kuno na umiiiwas sa responsibilidad sa mga mamamayan! SIPAIN kung gayun, huwag ng patagalin!
Aside from being a Senior State Prosecutor who without doubt has proof on his disclosure, the reporter instinct in lawyer Emmanuel Velasco makes him very credible in his investigation and findings. Instead, he was relieved for doing his duties in a quest for justice to Jonas Burgos’ case.
But what can we expect from Raul Gonzalez? He cannot be the permanent acting secretary of injustice for nothing!
Gonzales taking out Velasco on the case is consistency that he operate outside the law. If Gonzales said that Velasco”s claim is false, it is time to prove another alternative route to clear the smokescreen to identify the suspects. But, who will?
If Gonzales is not the suspect he should fully cooperate with this investigation by making these idiots abductors of Jonas Burgos available by questioning .If merit is found to the accusation against them, these idiots should be remanded to courts for prosecution. I guess if the truth will come out, these morons will defend themselves by claiming they were only following orders. Maybe, the evidence and their confessions amply proves that the military is incapable of policing itself and that human right cases involving military officers should be prosecuted also.
Gonzales loses his credibility on this case, not Velasco who was been replace as a government prosecutor handling the case, whose job is to develop sufficient evidence to convict. Gonzales strategy appears designed to punish groups for speaking out and terrorize the public into blunting or suppressing future not to complain and launches founded charges against his ass as a human right violators.—Another Justice Denied–
The idiot Raul Gonzales is incompetent and making a big mockery of justice in the Philippines, so why is this idiot still there? Frankly, they should not have assigned Velasco to the case knowing that he was in fact close to the Burgos since he was once a journalist working under the father of Jayjay as I have gathered from the news. It is called “conflict of interest.”
I remember in fact being removed from a case in court that I was assigned to interpret for when I mentioned to the court clerk that I knew the accused even when I was not really close to her and had met her only once. It was considered as a conflict of interest.
In the case of Velasco, he was a friend of the Burgos, and it is but natural that he would want to get to the root of the case and was keen on pinning the military men witnesses said were involved in this abduction of his former boss’ son. But apparently, it is not what the Malacanang creep wants him to do. The Malacanang creep, directly or indirectly involved in this extrajudicial killings and terrorism, definitely does not want anyone to expose the men in the AFP involved in this act of terrorism. So, off with his head!!! Creep talaga!
Hindi ba taga Iloilo si Gonzales at si Miriam? Magkasibanwa nga.
Before, the govt and the AFP demanded to name names. When Velasco named the suspects, they are now saying”paano kung walang ebidensya laban sa sundalo?” Worst, they kicked out Velasco from the probe. Most likely, the replacement will be their obedient dog.
Nakalimutan na nila ang ginawa nila sa Batasan 6; Gen Miranda et al; erap 5 at madami pa.
Well, it’s no longer surprising for gma govt to act like this. Justice had been denied to us since 2001. They will continue to trample our rights and the constitution.
But let us continue the fight for the truth, justice and freedom.
Support the Last Revolution!
What do you expect with a mafia gang? The members cover up for each other and will eliminate anyone and anything that will get in their way. Justice has to be done their way. Again, the main qualifications of the members should be: able to lie, steal, cheat and even kill! Oh, and disappear when needed after the crime was perfected! Tipong invisible man kung baga! Akala ko hindi na uso ang mafia ngayon. In tiyanak’s regime, buhay na buhay pala and mafia practices! Talaga namang kapit tuko and gang na ito!
If his position on the line,he have to turn on defensive machine to manufactures million excuses to tackle all these issues that been thrown against to herds of same kind where he belonged,if you has evidences take it to court lodge a complain,but w/c court he’s talking about?basketball,tennis,court of jester where he belonged,same as Comelec,recently when the paint brush of CBCP,projected their images what they are look like in the eyes of GOD,they turn on the audio of the SALONGPUWET ABALOS,if one or two of his commisionner committed any wrong doing,it doesn’t means entire organizations were corrupt,(that his quote),is this joker got a sense about the long list of thier evil doing,their commission are major contributors,why our motherland been elevated to #8 of the most corrupt country in the world,#2 among ASIAN nations.Just in the case of Leech Bedol,what those eye patch signifies, patches symbolize to cover,the other eyes open, Open to check if your CASH were correct according to the terms.THE Court Jester members are, Abalos,2 Gong-gong zales,Ermita,Toteng,Tahol Apostol,Cloud of doubt Claudio,AFP BARKERO,space not enough to list them all.
removing a prosecutor after an action that is not in accordance with their will, is the worsed they can do to better their image. one can only conclude that this is done not for image building but to cover up for mistakes they are not willing to accept.
Two scenarios:
Elticol Bacorro parading before the media six suspected terrorists in the bombing of public market in Davao and stating their names and their terrorist gangs and/or organizations.
Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco during his media interview stated the participation of “people in the government” in the abduction of Jonas Burgos. And now after releasing the names of “people in the government” – from the military, the DOJ Cheat relieved Velasco as head of the panel investigating the disappearance of Burgos.
What’s the difference between the two scenarios?
ka emil,
‘yung una, papalakpakan ni siraulo gagonggonzalez para matuwa si gloria makapal ang mukha arroyo. accomplishment at media cosmetic ‘yun.
itong pangalawa, susupalpalin ng utak tungaw na siraulo upang matuwa rin si gloria dahil kung hindi ito ay embarrassment at tatapal sa mukhang wala nang ikakapal ng hidhid sa loob ng malakanyang!
Mafia Family rules!
Ka Magno,
Tama! Lahat ay pabor para sa gobyerno ni Blinky Tiyanak. Sabi nga ay lahat ay gagawin nitong dalawang sangay ng gobyerno na himudin ang tumbong ni Blinky Tiyanak upang mabiyayaan ng husto ang mga namumuno.
Sa halip na ang protection ng mga mamamayan ang gawin ay mga “pinuno” ang kanilang binibigyan ng protection.
Siguro ang mas maganda ay tanggapin na lang nila Edong Ermita, siRaulo Gonzales at Assperon na maging model ng adult-diaper dahil walang blunder doon – pero acting lang. Sa ngayon ay puro yack-yack-yacking sila, eh. More words coming out of their mouths, more mistakes!
“Paano kung walang ebidensya laban sa sundalo? Unfair sa kanila, pero maniniwala ba ang tao?”
Kasabay halos nito, iniimbestigahan din ng NBI ang kaso ng Francswiss financial scam. Ang bata ni Gonzales (na magang-maga ang mukha sa manas) ay nagpasikat agad na kasama daw sa investors sila Korina Sanchez, Claudine Barreto, Raymart Santiago, at mga heneral ng AFP at PNP.
Bakit hindi nya sinibak ito?
This reminds me of a very popular sex worker in the neighborhood shrieking at the top of her voice at her adversaries of fed up wives..” ..do you have proofs and evidences upang sirain ang aking puri?”
*padala ng isang pinoy sa canada para kay gng burgos. he wrote this after
reading conrad de quiroz’s piece.
*
*ISANG PAG-AALAY (para kay Ginang Burgos)*
mula sa isang Pinoy sa Ontario, Canada
* *
*Mahal na ina, huwag ka pong malumbay,*
* pagtangis mo’y tulad ng uling sa apoy.*
*Sa matinding init, walang makapantay,*
* ni tigas ng asero, ito’y dadaloy. *
*Ang taginting ng halaklak ng diyablo’y*
*magiging paos at mawawalang saysay.*
* *
*Mga walang kaluluwang inaanay,*
*kanilang pag-aakala, luha mo’y *
*tuyo at hindi tubig na bubuhay*
*sa mga ibang naglaho at pinatay.*
* *
*Umasa ka, magsaya, huwag malumbay! *
*Ang anak ay iba, sya ay walang kapantay.*
*S’ya man ay nawalay, siya’y BUHAY na BUHAY!*
* *
*Isa s’yang LAKAS, ‘sang espiritung TUNAY!*
* *
*Ang pagtulong n’ya sa magsasakang Pinoy,*
*kanyang adhikain at naging sanaysay.*
*Kahit sa unos, silang mga matamlay*
*ay walang pagod na tinulunga’t inakay. *
*Tinuruan, inaruga, BINUBUHAY!*
* *
*Siya ay dugong sa ugat dumadaloy*
*Na sa bawat pintig ng puso’y,*
*Nakakabinging sigaw sa kaaway,*
* “AKO’Y BUHAY at mananatiling BUHAY!”*
* *
*”Ang pisikal kong katawan inyong hinalay,*
*Maglaho man ito, mga taong sinanay,*
*SILA ANG DIWA KO, ATING MGA BANTAY.”*
* *
*Sa muli nyong pagtangkaang ulitin ang paghalay,*
*Kahit sa panahon na ang Diyos ay nahumpay,*
*Ang diwang aking naiwan, ito’y patuloy*
*na daluyong sa pagbabago ng kulay.*
* *
*Burak ng kaisipan na parang kumunoy*
*Ito’y tutuyuin; aapakan at tayo’y akay-akay*
*TUNGO SA HARAPING WAGAS AT DALISAY!*
Excerpts from the Daily Tribune: 2007/07/14
Gloria ordered Burgos probe whitewash
President Arroyo was behind the relief of Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco from the Task Force Media Harassment and the order of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to sack him was said to have been motivated by a call from Mrs. Arroyo for the Justice chief to get the chief investigator relieved, as he was getting too close to the truth of the involvement of the military in the abduction of an activist, reliable sources from the Justice department disclosed to the Tribune yesterday.
Turning point,
Hindi na bago iyan. What can you expect from a criminal? Di pagtakpan ang kapareho niyang kriminal. Hindi pa ba nagsasawa ang mga pilipino sa manlolokong iyan? Taragis walang matakbuhan ang mga pilipino. Inuubos na ang pera ng bayan sa kaba-bribe ng ungas ng pera ng bayan. Utang dito, utang doon. Manang-mana doon sa ama niya. Napupugutan na ng ulo ang mga sundalo, palandi-landi pa rin! Hindi masusulba ang problema ng bansa sa pagaalembong lamang ng isang poohtah! Wala na bang katapusan?
Takot si Gloria sa militar. Hindi niya puedeng idi-in sina ISAFP chief Bangit at Army chief Tolentino sa kasong Jonas Burgos abduction. Marami silang alam sa Hello Garci scandal. Baka sila bumagligtad o mag-kudeta di garote si Gloriang Tiyanak. Civilian-Miltary junta ang nag-papatakbo sa pamahalaang Arroyo. Tao-tauhan lang si Gloria. Hawak ni General Eduardo Ermita ang kanyang leeg.
Si pootha gloria ay LAMEDUCK, hawak sa buong katawan ni Assperon dahil sa “Hello Garci”, which is gloria’s alpha et omega!