LONDON - The search for missing activist Jonas Burgos has been taken to a new level by his mother Edith Burgos, widow of the press freedom icon, Jose Burgos, Jr.  

Mrs. Burgos first stopped in London as she toured some European cities to speak about the plight of her family, as well as the families of the disappeared or Desaparecidos.  

Last Wednesday, Mrs. Burgos delivered a speech at the Human Rights Action Centre of Amnesty International-UK and appealed for support from the international community to look into the cases of extra-judicial killings and human rights abuses in the Philippines.
 
Her speech,  “Abductions ad Disappearances in the Philippines: Breaking the Chains of Impunity,” narrated the abduction of her son in a mall in Quezon City and the ordeal of finding him alive. Mrs. Burgos maintains the military was behind Jonas’ disappearance.  

“Hindi ito palagay o imbento lang. We believe because we have proof. We have proof that there is direct link, which is the plate number that the military used, particularly the 56th Infantry Battalion [which] abducted my son,” Mrs Burgos said.
 
She was joined in the panel by son Jose Luis (JL) whose message was conveyed through “Eksenang Tahimik,” an audio-visual narrative dramatizing the suffering of the families and friends of the victims of forced disappearances.
 
The Burgoses were joined by Alvin Carpio, Chairperson  of Campaign for Human Rights in the  Philippines; Shane Enright of Amnesty International UK Section, Trade Union Campaigns; Nick Sigler of UNISON; and, Hazel Galang of Amnesty International.  

'Leave no stone unturned'
Mrs. Burgos, who now heads Desaparecidos, vows to seek the truth and justice for all the families who have suffered because of forced disappearance.

“Pinangako ko na sa sarili ko na I will not leave a stone unturned. So ang pagpunta namin dito, kung maliit man ang kontribusyon, meron pa rin,” she said.

With her campaign to raise international awareness on the plight of Desaparecidos, Mrs. Burgos also committed to campaign against the election of the candidates for 2010 elections endorsed by the Arroyo administration.

“Palagay ko, malaki ang maitutulong kasi ang daming migrante na makakausap namin dito at ipaalam sa kanila na these things are happening pa rin, and for them not to support the present government pagdating ng eleksyon, malaking bagay na sa amin yun,” she said.
 
‘Left Behind’
At the Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre, JL Burgos also mounted an exhibit to showcase his art works and give a glimpse of the last images left behind by a disappeared loved one.   

“Gusto lang i-explain nun [art works] ay ang dirty laundry ng Pilipinas. Dinala ko ang dirty laundry ng Pilipinas at sinabit ko sa London, at ang dirty laundry na ito ay yung forced disappearances,” explained JL.

Pointing to the picture depicting Jonas’ last seen activity before he was forcibly taken away by armed men while having lunch, he said, “Si Jonas ay kumakain nang siya ay dinukot. Ito ay nagsi-symbolize na habang kumakain, kinuha ka.”
 
The art works were sold from 30 pounds and the proceeds of the exhibit will go to Desaparecidos and Free Jonas Burgos Movement.  

‘A mother cannot give up’
Mrs. Burgos also delivered the same speech in front of human rights groups and students at the School of Oriental and African Studies. She also met with Member of Parliament (MP) Katy Clark and was invited for a radio interview on BBC World Service’s program Outlook.

“A mother cannot give up. Minsan masakit magsalita. Mahirap pero kailangan.  Lalo na tulad ngayon na magasasalita ako. We just have to move on and continue the advocacies of Jonas. If we don’t do this, we would have failed him,” she explained.
 
“For as long as there is forced disappearance in the Philippines, the family will help out in any way we can,” she added.

Jonas Burgos was abducted by armed men at the Ever Gotesco Mall in Quezon City in 2007. But to this day, no one has been held accountable for his disappearance.