By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MANILA, (PNA) — The Department of Justice has exonerated former officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in the criminal complaint on the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos.
In a resolution dated Sept. 3, 2013, absolved of charges of arbitrary detention, murder and obstruction of justice filed by Mrs. Edita Burgos were former AFP Brig. Gen. Eduardo Ano; Lt. Col. Melquiades Feliciano; Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino; Gen. Hermogenes Esperon; Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano; and former PNP Chief Director General Avelino Razon, Jr.
However, the DOJ recommended that Maj. Harry Baliaga, Jr. be charged in court for the case of arbitrary detention.
The source clarified the murder case against all the respondents was dismissed as the body of Burgos has not yet been found and his location has not yet been determined.
The source added the resolution of the DOJ will have no effect on the result of the investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation into the case of disappearance of Jonas Burgos.
Baliaga was positively identified by one of the eye witnesses who was allegedly one of the abductors of Jonas from a restaurant inside a mall in Quezon City on April 28, 2007.