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G.R.No.183711

RepublicofthePhilippines
SupremeCourt
Manila

ENBANC

EDITAT.BURGOS,
Petitioner,

versus

PRESIDENTGLORIA
MACAPAGALARROYO,GEN.
HERMOGENESESPERON,JR.,
LT.GEN.ROMEOP.
TOLENTINO,MAJ.GEN.
JUANITOGOMEZ,MAJ.GEN.
DELFINBANGIT,LT.COL.NOEL
CLEMENT,LT.COL.
MELQUIADESFELICIANO,
DIRECTORGENERALOSCAR
CALDERON,
Respondents.
xx
EDITAT.BURGOS,
Petitioner,

versus

PRESIDENTGLORIA
MACAPAGALARROYO,GEN.
HERMOGENESESPERON,JR.,
LT.GEN.ROMEOP.
TOLENTINO,MAJ.GEN.
JUANITOGOMEZ,LT.COL.
MELQUIADESFELICIANO,LT.
COL.NOELCLEMENT,
Respondents.
xx
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EDITAT.BURGOS,
Petitioner,

versus

CHIEFOFSTAFFOFTHE
ARMEDFORCESOFTHE
PHILIPPINES,GEN.
HERMOGENESESPERON,JR.,
CommandingGeneralofthe
PhilippineArmy,LT.GEN.
ALEXANDERYANOChiefofthe
PhilippineNationalPolice,
DIRECTORGENERALAVELINO
RAZON,JR.,
Respondents.

Present:

CORONA,C.J.,
CARPIO,
VELASCO,JR.,
LEONARDODECASTRO,
BRION,
PERALTA,*

BERSAMIN,
DELCASTILLO,
ABAD,
VILLARAMA,JR.,
PEREZ,
MENDOZA,and
SERENO,JJ.

Promulgated:
July5,2011
xx

RESOLUTION

BRION,J.:

[1]
[2]
Wereview, in light of the latest developments in this case, the decision datedJuly 17,
[3]
[4]
2008oftheCourtofAppeals(CA)intheconsolidatedpetitionsforHabeasCorpus, Contempt
[5]
andWritofAmparo filedbyEditaT.Burgos(petitioner).TheassailedCAdecisiondismissedthe
petitionfortheissuanceoftheWritofHabeasCorpusdeniedthepetitionersmotiontodeclarethe
[6]
respondentsinContemptandpartiallygrantedtheprivilegeoftheWritofAmparo.
[7]
OnJune22,2010,weissuedaResolution referringthepresentcasetotheCommissionon
HumanRights(CHR),astheCourtsdirectlycommissionedagencytaskedwiththecontinuationof
the investigation of Jonas Joseph T. Burgos abduction and the gathering of evidence, with the
obligationtoreportitsfactualfindingsandrecommendationstothisCourt. We found the referral
necessaryastheinvestigationbythePNPCIDG,bytheAFPProvostMarshal,andevenbytheCHR
had been less than complete for one, there were very significant lapses in the handling of the
investigation. In particular, we highlighted the PNPCIDGs failure to identify the cartographic
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sketchesoftwo(onemaleandonefemale)ofthefiveabductorsofJonas,basedontheirinterviewof
[8]
eyewitnessestotheabduction. Weheld:

Considering the findings of the CA and our review of the records of the present case, we
conclude that the PNP and the AFP have so far failed to conduct an exhaustive and meaningful
investigationintothedisappearanceofJonasBurgos,andtoexercisetheextraordinarydiligence(in
the performance of their duties) that the Rule on the Writ of Amparo requires. Because of these
investigativeshortcomings,wecannotruleonthecaseuntilamoremeaningfulinvestigation,using
extraordinarydiligence,isundertaken.

From the records, we note that there are very significant lapses in the handling of the
investigationamongthemthePNPCIDGsfailuretoidentifythecartographicsketchesoftwo(one
maleandonefemale)ofthefiveabductorsofJonasbasedontheirinterviewofeyewitnessestothe
abduction. This lapse is based on the information provided to the petitioner by no less than State
ProsecutorEmmanuelVelascooftheDOJwhoidentifiedthepersonswhowerepossiblyinvolvedin
theabduction,namely:T/Sgt.JasonRoxas(PhilippineArmy),Cpl.MariaJoanaFrancisco(Philippine
AirForce),M/Sgt.AronArroyo(PhilippineAirForce),andanaliasT.L.,allreportedlyassignedwith
MilitaryIntelligenceGroup15ofIntelligenceServiceoftheAFP.No search and certification were
evermadeonwhetherthesepersonswereAFPpersonnelorinotherbranchesoftheservice,suchas
the PhilippineAir Force. As testified to by the petitioner, no significant follow through was also
made by the PNPCIDG in ascertaining the identities of the cartographic sketches of two of the
abductorsdespitetheevidentiaryleadsprovidedbyStateProsecutorVelascooftheDOJ.Notably,
thePNPCIDG,astheleadinvestigatingagencyinthepresentcase,didnotappeartohavelifteda
fingertopursuetheseaspectsofthecase.

We note, too, that no independent investigation appeared to have been made by the PNP
CIDGtoinquireintotheveracityofLipiosandManuelsclaimsthatJonaswasabductedbyacertain
@KADANTEandacertain@KAENSOoftheCPP/NPAguerillaunitRYG.Therecordsdonot
indicatewhetherthePNPCIDGconductedafollowupinvestigationtodeterminetheidentitiesand
whereaboutsof@KADanteand@KAENSO.TheseomissionswereaggravatedbytheCAfinding
that the PNP has yet to refer any case for preliminary investigation to the DOJ despite its
representationbeforetheCAthatithadforwardedallpertinentandrelevantdocumentstotheDOJ
forthefilingofappropriatechargesagainst@KADANTEand@KAENSO.

While significant leads have been provided to investigators, the investigations by the PNP
CIDG,theAFPProvostMarshal,andeventheCommissiononHumanRights(CHR)havebeenless
thancomplete.ThePNPCIDGsinvestigationparticularlyleavesmuchtobedesiredintermsofthe
extraordinarydiligencethattheRuleontheWritofAmparorequires.

[9]
FollowingtheCHRslegalmandate,wegavetheCommissionthefollowingspecificdirectives:

(a) ascertainingtheidentitiesofthepersonsappearinginthecartographicsketchesofthetwo
allegedabductorsaswellastheirwhereabouts

(b) determiningbasedonrecords,pastandpresent,theidentitiesandlocationsofthepersons
identified by State Prosecutor Velasco alleged to be involved in the abduction of Jonas, namely:
T/Sgt. Jason Roxas (PhilippineArmy) Cpl. Maria Joana Francisco (PhilippineAir Force), M/Sgt.
Aron Arroyo (Philippine Air Force), and an alias T.L., all reportedly assigned with Military
IntelligenceGroup15ofIntelligenceServiceoftheAFPfurtherproceedingsandinvestigations,as
maybenecessary,shouldbemadetopursuetheleadallegedlyprovidedbyStateProsecutorVelasco
ontheidentitiesofthepossibleabductors

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(c)inquiringintotheveracityofLipiosandManuelsclaimsthatJonaswasabductedbyacertain
@KADANTEand@KAENSOoftheCPP/NPAguerillaunitRYG

(d)determiningbasedonrecords,pastandpresent,aswellasfurtherinvestigation,theidentities
andwhereaboutsof@KADANTEand@KAENSOand

(e)undertakingallmeasures,intheinvestigationoftheBurgosabduction,thatmaybenecessary
toliveuptotheextraordinarymeasureswerequireinaddressinganenforceddisappearanceunderthe
RuleontheWritofAmparo.

InthissameResolution,wealsoaffirmedtheCAsdismissalofthepetitionsforContemptand
fortheissuanceofaWritofAmparowithrespecttoPresidentMacapagalArroyo,assheisentitled
[10]
asPresidenttoimmunityfromsuit.

OnMarch15,2011,theCHRsubmittedtotheCourtitsInvestigationReportontheEnforced
Disappearance of Jonas Burgos (CHR Report), in compliance with our June 22, 2010 Resolution.
[11]
In this Report, the CHR recounted the investigations undertaken, whose pertinent details we
quotebelow:

On June 26, 2010, the CHR issued Resolution CHR IV No. A2010100 to intensify the
investigationofthecaseoftheBurgosenforceddisappearanceandforthispurpose,createdaSpecial
InvestigationTeamheadedbyCommissionerJoseManuelS.Mamauag.

xxx

In compliance with the directive mentioned in the abovequoted EnBancResolution of the

Supreme Court, the Team conducted field investigations by: (1) interviewing a) civilian authorities
involved in the first investigation of the instant case b) military men under detention for alleged
violations ofArticles of War c) Security Officers of Ever Gotesco Mall, CommonwealthAvenue,
QuezonCityd)two(2)ofthethree(3)CIDGwitnessese)two(2)eyewitnesseswhodescribedto
the police sketch artist two (2) faces of a male and female abductors of Jonas Burgos f) Rebel
Returnees(RRs)g)officersandmeninthemilitaryandpoliceserviceh)localofficialsandother
governmentfunctionariesandi)ordinarycitizens(2)inquiringintotheveracityofCIDGwitnesses
LipiosandManuelsclaimsthatJonaswasabductedbyacertain@KADANTEand@KAENSOof
theCPP/NPAguerillaunitRYG(3)securingcaserecordsfromtheprosecutionserviceandcourtsof
law(4)visitingmilitaryandpoliceunits.Offices,camps,detentioncenters,andjailsandrequesting
copiesofdocumentsandrecordsintheirpossessionthatarerelevanttotheinstantcase(5)searching
forandinterviewingwitnessesandinformantsand(6)pursuingleadsprovidedbythem.
S.EmailsStarStruck

38.Pursuingtheleadmentionedintheanonymousemail,whichwasattachedtotheBurgos
petitionasExhibitJ,thattheteamleader(T.L.)intheJonasBurgosabductionwasacertainArmy
Captain, (promotable to Major), a good looking guy (tisoy), and a potential showbiz personality
known otherwise as Captain Starstruck, the Team requested the CHR Clearance Section, Legal
DivisionforanyinformationleadingtoT.L.ortoallPhilippineArmyapplicantsforCHRclearance
whoseranksareCaptainsorMajorspromotedduringtheyears2007to2009.

39. Sometime in November 2010, the Team was able to track down one CHR clearance
applicant who most likely possesses and/or matches the information provided in the said lead. But
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whenhisphoto/picturewaspresentedtotheeyewitnesses,theyfailedtoidentifyhim.

40.Undauntedwiththenegativeidentification,theTeamsuspectedthattheteamleadermight
nothaveparticipatedintheactualabductioninsideHapagKainanRestaurant,thesceneofthecrime,
butmostprobablywasinoneofthethreecarsallegedlyusedduringtheoperationwhilegivingorders
orcommandingtheactualabductors.

41.Inrelationtotheabovesuspicion,theTeamhastheorizedthatofficersbelowtherankof
Captainmighthaveperpetratedtheactualabduction.

42.TheTeamexploredthispossibilityandfocuseditsattentionontheofficersofthe7thID,
PA, namely: Lt.Vicente O. Dagdag, Jr., the S4 of 65 IB who executed an affidavit relative to the
allegedstolenPlateNo.TAB1942Lt.ReyB.Dequitoof56thIB,thewitnessagainstEdmondDag
Uamnfortheallegedcrimeofmurderand1Lt.UsmalikTayaban,theTeamLeaderwiththe56 thIB
who issued a Custody Receipt in connection with the Petition for HabeasCorpus filed inAngeles
Cityrelativetothe2006EmeritoLipioabductioncaseagainstthepoliceandmilitarypersonnel.

T.Facebookaccount

43.Google search of the names of the above mentioned individuals yielded negative result
exceptfor1Lt.UsmalikTayaban,whosenamewasconnectedtoasocialnetworkingsite,theFace
bookaccountofPMABATCHSANGHAYA2000.

44.In the Facebook account Sanghaya, the contents of which is categorized as PUBLIC or
open to public viewing, it appears that Malik Tayaban is a graduate of the Philippine Military
Academy(PMA)BatchSanghayaof2000.Otherleadswerealsodiscovered,suchasthefollowing:
vernaculardescriptionoftisoywhichwasmentionedbyoneoftheusersinthecommentportion of
the account which incidentally was also mentioned in the anonymous email as the team leader
(T.L.) the picture of a man sporting a backpack, which was also mentioned by witness Elsa. Per
Elsasaccount,thepersoninthecartographicsketchwaswearingabackpack.

45.Awareoftheintricaciesoftheabovementionedleads,theTeamcausedthereproduction
ofallpicturesintheFacebookaccountforfuturereferenceandrequestedtheNBI(Burgos)Teamfor
acopyofthePMASanghayaBatch2000YearBook,alsoforfuturereference.

U.ThePMAYearBook

46.ThroughtheeffortsoftheNBI(Burgos)Team,theTeamwas able to get the PMAYear

BookofSanghayaBatch2000andthelocationofoneimportanteyewitnessintheabduction.

V.JEFFREYCABINTOY

47.OnDecember1,2010,theTeamtogetherwiththeNBITeamwereabletolocateJeffrey
Cabintoy(Jeffrey),oneofthetwo(2)eyewitnesseswhoprovidedthepolicecartographicartistwith
the description of two (2) principal abductors of Jonas Burgos. Jeffrey narrated in details (sic) the
circumstancesthathappenedbeforeandduringtheabduction.

48.OnDecember7,2010,theTeamandJeffreywenttotheplaceofincidentatEverGotesco
Mall,QuezonCitytorefreshhismemoryandreenactwhattranspired.Intheafternoonofthesame
date,theTeaminvited Jeffrey to the CHR Central Office in Quezon City, where he was shown for
identificationtwenty(20)copiesofcoloredphotographs/picturesofmenandthealmosttwohundred
fortyfour (244) photographs/pictures stored in the computer and lifted from the profiles of the
PhilippineMilitaryAcademyYearBookofBatchSanghaya2000.

49. Jeffrey pointed to a man in the two (2) colored group pictures/photographs, that he
identified as among the 8man group who abducted Jonas Burgos. For record and identification
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purposes,theTeamencircledthefacethatJeffreyidentifiedinthetwopicturesthenheaffixedhis
signatureoneachpicture.Also,whileleafingthroughthepicturesofthePMAgraduatesintheYear
BookofSanghaya2000Batch,thewitnessidentifiedapicture,withaboldandallcapitalizedname
HARRYAGAGEN BALIAGA JR and the wordsAgawa, Besao, Mt. Province printed there under
the capitalized words PHILIPPINE ARMY written on the upper portion, as the same person he
pointedoutinthetwogrouppicturesjustmentionedabove.Immediatelythereafter,theTeamcaused
theproductionofthephotoidentifiedbyJeffreyandaskedhimtoaffixhissignature,whichhealso
did.

50.Afterexaminingeachofthesepictures,Jeffreydeclaredthatitdawnedonhimthatbased
onhisrecollectionoffacesinvolvedintheabductionofJonasBurgos,henowremembersthefaceof
aman,otherthanthetwo(2)faceswhosedescriptionhealreadyprovidedbeforetoapolicesketch
artist,whowaspartofthe8mangroupofabductors.Andhealsoconfirmsitnowthatthepersonhe
isreferringtowasindeedseenbyhimasoneofthosewhoabductedJonasBurgosatHapagKainan
RestaurantofEverGotescoMall,CommonwealthAvenue,QuezonCity.

51.Whenaskedhowcertainhewasofthepersonheidentified,consideringthattheprinted
copyofthephotoliftedfromtheFacebookSanghayaAccountwastakensometimeintheyear2010
while the picture appearing in the computer was lifted from the PMA Sanghaya 2000 Batch Year
Book, Jeffrey replied Ang taong ito ay aking natatandaan sa kadahilanan na nuong una siya ay
nakauponakatabisabandangkaliwanangtaongdumukotatnatapossilangmagusaplumapitsaakin
at pilit akong pinipigilan na wag daw makialam at ang sabi nya sa akin ay WAG KA DITONG
MAKIALAM KASI ANG TAONG ITO AY MATAGAL NA NAMING SINUSUBAYBAYAN
DAHIL SA DROGA kahit pa halos nagmamakaawa na nang tulong ang taong dinukot at matapos
nuonaysapilitannanilangbinitbitsalabasangbiktima.(Irememberthismanforthereasonthatat
firsthewasseatedattheleftsideofthepersonabductedandaftertheytalked,heapproachedmeand
waspreventingmeforcefullysayingnottointerfereandhesaidtome:DONTYOUINTERFERE
HERE SINCEWE HAVE BEEN DOING SOME SURVEILLANCE ONTHIS MAN FOR SOME
TIMEALREADYBECAUSEOFDRUGSdespitethatthemanwasalreadypleadingforhelp,and
afterthat,theyforciblydraggedthevictimoutside.)

52. When asked if he could identify the picture of Jonas Burgos, Jeffrey affirmed that the
personinthepictureisthepersonreferredtobyhimasthevictimofabductionandhisnameisJonas
Burgos.HefurtherstatedthathelearnedofthevictimsnamewhenhesawhispictureflashedonTV
andhearhisname.Whenaskedifheiswillingtoexecuteanaffidavitonthefactsthathehasjust
provided, he answered yes and at that juncture the Team assisted him in the preparation of his
Sinumpaang Salaysay based on his personal knowledge and in a language known to him. After
which, the Team asked Jeffrey to read, examine and determine whether all the information he just
provided are reflected in his Sinumpaang Salaysay and Jeffrey answered yes. Thereafter, Jeffrey
affixedhissignatureafterbeingsworntobeforealadyCHRlawyerandadulycommissionedNotary
PublicforandinQuezonCity.

W. Daguman confirmed Tayabans and Baliagas actual affiliation with the military and their
assignmentatthe56thInfantryBattalion,7thID

53. On December 10, 2010, the Team went to the Bulacan Provincial Jail to visit Edmond
DagUman and asked him to identify his former Company Commander at the 56th IB, 71 ID, Lt.
UsmalikTayabanandtoidentifythepictures.

54.EdmondDagumanidentifiedtheencircledinthepictureasLT.HARRYA.BALIAGA,
JR., and the man with a receding hair as LT. USMALIK TAYABAN, his former Company
Commander.

55.Whenaskedifhewaswillingtoreduceinwritinghispreciousstatementsandthosethat
just mentioned, he replied BAKA MAPAHAMAK AKO NYAN! (That might endanger me!).
Following a lengthy discussion on the pros and cons of executing a sworn statement and the
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assurance of the Team to exclude his statements that are critical to the military establishment, it
dawnedonDagumanthathisstatementwouldbeofhelptotheCommissioninbringinghiscaseto
theproperauthoritiesforreviewandappropriateaction,thatheeventuallyexpressedhiswillingness
todoso.

56.AfterwhichtheTeamimmediatelywenttoaComputerCafnearbytoencodetheSalaysay,
thentheprintedcopywaspresentedtohimforhisdeterminationwhetherheisinfullaccordwiththe
contentstherein.Edmondspentaboutthirty(30)minutesreadingitandchangedthewordCharlieto
Bravoandthenaffixedhisinitialonit.HealsosignedtheSinumpaangSalaysayafterbeingswornto
beforeateammemberauthorizedtoadministeroath.

X.SecondvisittoELSAAGASANGandherSupplementalSwornStatement

57.OnJanuary26,2011,theTeamalongwithwitnessJeffreywenttoBicoltomeetwitness
Elsa.TheaimwastohelpElsarecallthefacesofthoseshesawintheabductionbyshowingtoher
recentlyacquiredpicturesofsuspects.

58. For the first time they would reunite, after almost four years since that fateful day of
April 28, 2007, when both of them had the experience of witnessing an abduction incident, which
renderedthemjoblessandunsafe.

59.TheTeamtoldJeffreytositinfrontofElsawithoutintroducinghimtoher.After about
halfanhourintotheconversation,sheexpresseddisbeliefwhensherealizedthatshewasfacingin
personhecoworkerthatsheknewverywell.

60.OnJanuary29,2011,ElsaexecutedherKaragdagangSinumpaangSalaysayaffirmingher
SalaysaygivenbeforePCILinoDLBanaagattheCIDU,QuezonCityPoliceDistrictOffice,Camp
Karingal, Quezon City and corroborating the material allegations contained in the Sinumpaang
SalaysayofJeffrey.

[12]
Onthebasisoftheevidenceithadgathered,theCHRsubmittedthefollowingfindings:

Based on the facts developed by evidence obtaining in this case, the CHR finds that the
enforceddisappearanceofJonasJosephT.Burgoshadtranspiredandthathisconstitutional
rightstolifelibertyandsecuritywereviolatedbytheGovernmenthavebeenfullydetermined.
JeffreyCabintoyandElsaAgasanghavewitnessedonthatfatefuldayof April28,2007
theforcibleabductionofJonasBurgosbyagroupofaboutseven(7)menandawomanfromthe
extension portion of Hapag Kainan Restaurant, located at the ground floor of Ever Gotesco Mall,
CommonwealthAvenue,QuezonCity.
xxxx

The eyewitnesses mentioned above were Jeffrey Cabintoy (Jeffrey) and Elsa Agasang
(Elsa), who at the time of the abduction were working as busboy and TraineeSupervisor,
respectively,atHapagKainanRestaurant.

In his Sinumpaang Salaysay, Jeffrey had a clear recollection of the face of HARRY
AGAGEN BALIAGA, JR. as one of the principal abductors, apart from the faces of the two
abductorsinthecartographicsketchesthathedescribedtothepolice,afterhewasshownbytheTeam
thepicturesinthePMAYearBookofBatchSanghaya2000andgrouppicturesofmentakensome
yearsthereafter.

The same group of pictures were shown to detained former 56th IB Army trooper
Edmond M. Daguman (Daguman), who also positively identified Lt. Harry Baliaga, Jr.
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Dagumans Sinumpaang Salaysay states that he came to know Lt. Baliaga as a Company
Commander in the 56th IB while he was still in the military service (with Serial No. 800693,
from1997to2002)alsowiththe56thIBbutunder1Lt.UsmalikTayaban,theCommanderof
BravoCompany.Whenhewasarrestedandbroughttothe56thIBCampinApril2005,hedidnot
see Lt. Baliaga anymore at the said camp.The similar reaction that the pictures elicited from both
JeffreyandDagumandidnotpassunnoticedbytheTeam.Bothmenalwayslookpensive,probably
becauseofthepatheticplighttheyareinrightnow.ItcameasasurprisethereforetotheTeamwhen
theycouldhardlyhidetheirsmileuponseeingthefaceofBaliaga,asiftheyknowthemanverywell.

Moreover,whentheTeamaskedhowJeffreyhowcertainwashethatitwasindeedBaliaga
thathesawasamongthosewhoactuallyparticipatedinJonasabduction,Jeffreywasabletogivea
graphicdescriptionandspontaneously,toboot,theblowbyblowaccountoftheincident,including
theinitialpositioningoftheactors,speciallyBaliaga,whoevenapproached,talkedto,andprevented
himfrominterferingintheircriminalact.

ARebelreturnee(RR)namedMariaVitaLozadayVillegas@KAMY,hasidentifiedtheface
ofthefemaleinthecartographicsketchasacertainLt.Fernando.WhileLozadarefusestoinclude
her identification of Lt. Fernando in her Sinumpaang Salaysay for fear of a backlash, she told the
Team that she was certain it was Lt. Fernando in the cartographic sketch since both of them were
involvedincounterinsurgencyoperationsatthe56thIB,whileshewasunderthecareofthebattalion
fromMarch2006untilsheleftthe56thIBHeadquartersinOctober2007.Lozadas involvement in
counterinsurgencyoperationstogetherwithLt.FernandowasamongthefactsgatheredbytheCHR
RegionalOffice3Investigators,whoseinvestigationintotheenforceddisappearanceofJonasJoseph
BurgoswasdocumentedbywayofanAfterMissionReportdatedAugust13,2008.

Mostifnotalltheactualabductorswouldhavebeenidentifiedhaditnotbeenforwhat
is otherwise called as evidentiary difficulties shamelessly put up by some police and military
elites.ThedeliberaterefusalofTJAGRoatoprovidetheCHRwiththerequesteddocuments
doesnotonlydefytheSupremeCourtdirectivetotheAFPbut ipsofactocreatedadisputable
presumption thatAFP personnel were responsible for the abduction and that their superiors
wouldbefoundaccountable,ifnotresponsible,forthecrimecommitted.Thisobservationfinds
support in the disputable presumption That evidence willfully suppressed would be adverse if
produced.(Paragraph(e),Section3,Rule131onBurdenofProofandPresumptions,RevisedRules
onEvidenceoftheRulesofCourtofthePhilippines).

In saying that the requested document is irrelevant, the Team has deemed that the
requested documents and profiles would help ascertain the true identities of the cartographic
sketches of two abductors because a certain Virgilio Eustaquio has claimed that one of the
intelligenceoperativesinvolvedinthe2007ERAP5casefitsthedescriptionofhisabductor.

As regards the PNP CIDG, the positive identification of former 56 th IB officer Lt.
HARRYA.BALIAGA,JR.asoneoftheprincipalabductorshaseffectivelycrushedthetheory
oftheCIDGwitnessesthattheNPAsabductedJonas.Baliagastrueidentityandaffiliationwith
themilitaryhavebeenestablishedbyoverwhelmingevidencecorroboratedbydetainedformer
ArmytrooperDaguman.

For lack of material time, the Commission will continue to investigate the enforced
disappearanceofJonasBurgosasanindependentbodyandpursuanttoitsmandateunderthe1987
Constitution.Ofparticularimportancearetheidentitiesandlocationsofthepersonsappearinginthe
cartographicsketchestheallegationsthatCIDGWitnessesEmeritoG.LipioandMelizaConcepcion
ReyesareAFPenlistedpersonnelandtheallegedparticipationofDelfinDeGuzman@KaBastein
theabductionofJonasBurgoswhosecaseforMurderandAttemptedMurderwasdismissedbythe
courtforfailureofthelonewitness,anarmymanofthe56thIBtotestifyagainsthim.

InterviewwithVirgilioEustaquio,ChairmanoftheUnionMassesforDemocracyandJustice
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(UMDJ),revealedthatthemaleabductorofJonasBurgosappearinginthecartographicsketchwas
among the raiders who abducted him and four others, identified as Jim Cabauatan, Jose Curament,
RubenDionisioandDennisIbonaotherwiseknownasERAPFIVE.
Unfortunately,andasalreadypointedoutabove,TheJudgeAdvocateGeneral(TJAG)turned
downtherequestoftheTeamforaprofileoftheoperativesinthesocalledErap5abductiononthe
groundofrelevancyandbrandedtherequestasafishingexpeditionperitsDispositionFormdated
September21,2010.
Efforts to contact Virgilio Eustaquio to secure his affidavit proved futile, as his present
whereabouts cannot be determined. And due to lack of material time, the Commission decided to
pursuethesameanddeterminethewhereaboutsoftheothermembersoftheErap5onitsowntime
andauthorityasanindependentbody.

Basedontheabovecitedfindings,theCHRsubmittedthefollowingrecommendationsforthe
[13]
Courtsconsideration,viz:

i.ToDIRECTtheDepartmentofJustice(DOJ),subjecttocertainrequirements,toimmediately
admit witnesses Jeffrey T. Cabintoy and Elsa B.Agasang to the Witness Protection, Security and
BenefitProgramunderRepublicActNo.6981

ii.ToDIRECTtheDepartmentofJustice(DOJ)tocommencethefilingofCriminalChargesfor
Kidnapping/Enforced Disappearance and/or Arbitrary Detention against 1LT. HARRY AGAGEN
BALIAGA,JR.ofthePhilippineArmy,asPrincipalbyDirectParticipationintheabductionofJonas
JosephT.BurgosonApril28,2007fromEverGotescoMall,CommonwealthAvenue,QuezonCity

iii.ToDIRECTtheDepartmentofJusticetocausethefilingofObstructionofJusticeagainst
EmeritoLipioyGonzalesMarlonManuelydeLeonandMelizaConcepcionReyesforgivingfalse
orfabricatedinformationtotheCIDGandfortheirwillfulrefusaltocooperatewiththeCHRTeamin
theinvestigationofthehereinenforceddisappearance

iv.ToDIRECTCaviteProvincialProsecutorEmmanuelVelascotoappearbeforetheSupreme
Court and to divulge his source/informant as the same does not fall under the privilege
communicationrule

v.ToDIRECTthePNPCIDGRC,NCRCIDU,Atty.JoelNapoleonM.Coronel,toexplainhis
Memorandum to the CIDGCIDD stating that the witnesses were reportedly turned over by the
Bulacan PPO and Philippine Army to the CIDG for investigation, considering that said witnesses
were not under police or military custody at the time of the supposed turnover in the evening of
August22,2007andtoidentifythePNPofficerwhodirectedtheCIDGoperativestofetchEmerito
G.LipioinBulacanandthetwootherCIDGwitnessesfortacticalinterrogation

vi. ToREQUIREGeneralRoaoftheJudgeAdvocateGeneralOffice,AFP,andtheDeputy
ChiefofStaffforPersonnel,JI,AFP,toexplaintheirfailureand/orrefusaltoprovidetheCHRwith
copies of documents relevant to the case of JonasT. Burgos, particularly the following: (a)Profile
and Summary of Information and pictures of T/Sgt. Jason Roxas (Philippine Army) and three (3)
otherenlistedpersonnelmentionedinparagraph(1)ofthedispositiveportionoftheSupremeCourt
EnBancResolutionissuedon22June2010intheinstantconsolidatedcases,includingacertain2Lt.
Fernando, a lady officer involved in the counterinsurgency operations of the 56th IB in 2006 to
2007 (b) copies of the records of the 2007 ERAP 5 incident in Kamuning, Quezon City and the
completelistoftheintelligenceoperativesinvolvedinthatsaidcovertmilitaryoperation,including
theirrespectiveSummaryofInformationandindividualpicturesand(c)completelistoftheofficers,
womenandmenassignedatthe56thand69thInfantryBattalionandthe7thInfantryDivisionfrom
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January1,2004toJune30,2007withtheirrespectiveprofiles,SummaryofInformationandpictures
including the list of captured rebels and rebels who surrendered to the said camps and their
correspondingpicturesandcopiesoftheirTacticalInterrogationReportsandthecasesfiledagainst
them,ifany

vii. To DIRECT the PNPCIDG to comply with its mandate under paragraph (3) of the
dispositive portion of the Supreme Court EnBanc Resolution promulgated on 22 June 2010 in the
instantconsolidatedcases

viii.ToDIRECTHarryA.Baliaga,Jr.,thePhilippineArmys56thInfantryBattalioninBulacan
and7thInfantryDivisionatFortMagsaysayinLaur,NuevaEcijatoproducethelivingbodyofthe
victimJonasJosephT.BurgosbeforethisCourt

ix. To DIRECT the Department of Justice to review and determine the probable
liability/accountabilityoftheofficersandenlistedpersonnelconcernedofthePhilippineArmys56th
IBandthe7thID,relativetothetortureand/orotherformsofilltreatmentofEdmondM.Daguman,
while he was in detention at Fort Magsaysay sometime in October 2005, as part of the collateral
discoveriesintheconductofthisinvestigation

x.ToDIRECTtheDepartmentofJusticetoreviewthecasefiledagainstEdmondDaguman
aliasDELFINDEGUZMANwith the RegionalTrial Court Branch 10 in Malolos City docketed as
Criminal Case Nos. 1844M2005 and 186M2006 and the legal basis, if any, for his continued
detentionattheBulacanProvincialJailinMalolosCityand

xi.ToDIRECTtheDepartmentofInteriorandLocalGovernment(DILG)tostudytheprobable
liability of Adelio A. Asuncion, former Jail Warden of Bulacan Provincial Jail for his failure to
accounttherecordsoftheinmatesmorespecificallytherecordsofturnoverEdmondDagumanfrom
the7thID.

PursuanttoourJune22,2010,theCHRfurnishedthepetitionerwiththecopyofitsreport,
which the petitioner apparently relied upon in filing a criminal complaint against Lt. Harry A.
[14]
Baliaga,Jr.andothermembersofthemilitary.

OURRULING
A.Amparo

Afterreviewingtheevidenceinthepresentcase,theCAfindingsandourfindingsinourJune
22, 2010 Resolution heretofore mentioned, including the recent CHR findings that Lt. Harry A.
Baliaga, Jr., (Lt. Baliaga) of the 56th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, PhilippineArmy is
oneoftheabductorsofJonas,weresolvetoholdinabeyanceourrulingonthemeritsintheAmparo
aspectofthepresentcaseandreferthiscasebacktotheCAinordertoallowLt.Baliagaandthe
present Amparo respondents to file their respective Comments on the CHR Report within a non
extendibleperiodoffifteen(15)daysfromreceiptofthisResolution.TheCAshallcontinuewiththe
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hearing of the Amparo petition in light of the evidence previously submitted, the proceedings it
already conducted and the subsequent developments in this case, particularly the CHR Report.
Thereafter,theCAshallruleonthemeritsoftheAmparopetition.Forthispurpose,weorderthatLt.
BaliagabeimpleadedasapartytotheAmparopetition(CAG.R.SPNo.00008WA).Thisdirective
toimpleadLt.Baliagaiswithoutprejudicetosimilardirectiveswemayissuewithrespecttoothers
whoseidentitiesandparticipationmaybedisclosedinfutureinvestigations.

WealsonotethatOfficeoftheJudgeAdvocateGeneral(TJAG)failedand/orrefusedtoprovidethe
CHR with copies of documents relevant to the case of Jonas, and thereby disobeyed our June 22,
2010 Resolution. To recall, we issued a Resolution declaring the CHR as the Courts directly

commissioned agency tasked with the continuation of the investigation of Jonas abduction and
thegatheringofevidence,withtheobligationtoreportitsfactualfindingsandrecommendations
tothisCourt. InthissameResolution,werequiredthethenincumbent Chiefs of theAFP and the
PNP to make available and to provide copies to the CHR, of all documents and records in their
possession and as the CHR may require, relevant to the case of Jonas, subject to reasonable
regulationsconsistentwiththeConstitutionandexistinglaws.
[15]
InitsMarch15,2011Report,theCHRrecommended,fortheCourtsconsideration:
vi. ToREQUIREGeneralRoaoftheJudgeAdvocateGeneralOffice,AFP,andtheDeputy
ChiefofStaffforPersonnel,JI,AFP,toexplaintheirfailureand/orrefusaltoprovidetheCHR
withcopiesofdocumentsrelevanttothecaseofJonasT.Burgos,particularlythefollowing:
(a)ProfileandSummaryofInformationandpicturesofT/Sgt.JasonRoxas(PhilippineArmy)
andthree(3)otherenlistedpersonnelmentionedinparagraph(1)ofthedispositiveportionof
the Supreme Court En Banc Resolution issued on 22 June 2010 in the instant consolidated
cases, including a certain 2Lt. Fernando, a lady officer involved in the counterinsurgency
operations of the 56th IB in 2006 to 2007 (b) copies of the records of the 2007 ERAP 5
incident in Kamuning, Quezon City and the complete list of the intelligence operatives
involved in that said covert military operation, including their respective Summary of
Information and individual pictures and (c) complete list of the officers, women and men
assignedatthe56thand69thInfantryBattalionandthe7thInfantryDivisionfromJanuary1,
2004 to June 30, 2007 with their respective profiles, Summary of Information and pictures
including thelist of capturedrebelsandrebels whosurrenderedtothesaidcampsandtheir
correspondingpicturesandcopiesoftheirTacticalInterrogationReportsandthecasesfiled
againstthem,ifany.

Section16oftheRuleontheWritofAmparoprovidesthatanypersonwhootherwisedisobeysor
resistsalawfulprocessororderofthecourtmaybepunishedforcontempt,viz:

SEC. 16. Contempt. The court, justice or judge may order the respondent who refuses to make a
return,orwhomakesafalsereturn,oranypersonwhootherwisedisobeysorresistsalawfulprocess
ororderofthecourttobepunishedforcontempt.Thecontemnormaybeimprisonedorimposeda
fine

ActingontheCHRsrecommendationandbasedontheaboveconsiderations,weresolvetorequire
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GeneralRoaofTJAG,AFP,andtheDeputyChiefofStaffforPersonnel,JI,AFP, atthetimeofour
June22,2010Resolution,andthenincumbentChiefofStaff,AFP,

[16]
toshowcauseandexplain,

withinanonextendibleperiodoffifteen(15)daysfromreceiptofthisResolution,whytheyshould
notbeheldincontemptofthisCourtfordefyingourJune22,2010Resolution.

B.HabeasCorpus

InlightofthenewevidenceobtainedbytheCHR,particularlytheCabintoyevidencethatpositively
identifiedLt.BaliagaasoneofthedirectperpetratorsintheabductionofJonasandintheinterestof
justice,weresolvetosetasidetheCAsdismissalofthehabeascorpuspetitionandissueanewthe
writofhabeascorpusreturnabletothePresidingJusticeoftheCAwhoshallimmediatelyreferthe
writtothesameCAdivisionthatdecidedthehabeascorpuspetition(CAGRSPNo.99839).

Forthispurpose,wealsoorderthatLt.Baliagabeimpleadedasapartytothehabeascorpuspetition
and require him together with the incumbent Chief of Staff, AFP the incumbent Commanding
General, Philippine Army and the Commanding Officer of the 56 th IB at the time of the
disappearanceofJonas,Lt.Col.FelicianotoproducethepersonofJonasandtoshowcausewhyhe
shouldnotbereleasedfromdetention.

The CA shall rule on the merits of the habeas corpus petition in light of the evidence previously
submitted to it, the proceedings already conducted, and the subsequent developments in this case
(particularly the CHR report) as proven by evidence properly adduced before it. The Court of
AppealsandthepartiesmayrequireProsecutorEmmanuelVelasco,JeffreyCabintoy,EdmundDag
uman,MelissaConcepcionReyes,EmeritoLipioandMarlonManueltotestifyinthiscase.
C.PetitionforContempt

[17]
Indismissingthepetition,theCAheld:

Undoubtedly, the accusation against respondents is criminal in nature. In view thereof, the
rulesincriminalprosecutionandcorollaryrecognitionofrespondentsconstitutionalrightsinevitably
comeintoplay.AsheldinPeoplev.Godoy:

In proceedings for criminal contempt, the defendant is presumed innocent and the
burdenisontheprosecutiontoprovethechargesbeyondreasonabledoubt.

Hence,assumingthatthereiscircumstantialevidencetosupportpetitionersallegations,said
circumstantialevidencefallsshortofthequantumofevidencethatisrequiredtoestablishtheguiltof
anaccusedinacriminalproceeding,whichisproofbeyondreasonabledoubt.

The pertinent provision of the Rules of Court on contempt, in relation to a Habeas Corpus
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proceeding,isSection16,Rule102,whichprovides:

Sec. 16. Penalty for refusing to issue writ, or for disobeying the same. A clerk of a court who
refusestoissuethewritafterallowancethereofanddemandtherefor,orapersontowhomawritis
directed, who neglects or refuses to obey or make return of the same according to the command
thereof,ormakesfalsereturnthereof,orwho,upondemandmadebyoronbehalfoftheprisoner,
refusestodelivertothepersondemanding,withinsix(6)hoursafterthedemandtherefor,atruecopy
ofthewarrantororderofcommitment,shallforfeittothepartyaggrievedthesumofonethousand
pesos,toberecoveredinaproperaction,andmayalsobepunishedbythecourtorjudgeasfor
contempt.[emphasissupplied]

[18]
InMontenegrov.Montenegro,
weexplainedthetypesandnatureofcontempt,asfollows:
Contemptofcourtinvolvesthedoingofanact,orthefailuretodoanact,insuchamanneras
to create an affront to the court and the sovereign dignity with which it is clothed. It is defined as
"disobediencetothecourtbyactinginoppositiontoitsauthority,justiceanddignity."7Thepowerto
punishcontemptisinherentinallcourts,becauseitisessentialtothepreservationoforderinjudicial
proceedings, and to the enforcement of judgments, orders and mandates of the courts and,
consequently,tothedueadministrationofjustice.
xxx
Contempt,whetherdirectorindirect,maybecivilorcriminal dependingonthenatureand
effectofthecontemptuousact.Criminalcontemptis"conductdirectedagainsttheauthorityand
dignity of the court or a judge acting judicially it is an act obstructing the administration of
justice which tends to bring the court into disrepute or disrespect." On the other hand, civil
contemptisthefailuretodosomethingorderedtobedonebyacourtorajudgeforthebenefitofthe
opposingpartythereinandistherefore,anoffenseagainstthepartyinwhosebehalftheviolatedorder
wasmade.Ifthepurposeistopunish,thenitiscriminalinnaturebutiftocompensate,thenit
iscivil.[emphasissupplied]

WeagreewiththeCAthatindirectcontemptistheappropriatecharacterizationofthecharge
filedbythepetitioneragainsttherespondentsandthatthechargeiscriminalinnature.Evidently,the
charge of filing a false return constitutes improper conduct that serves no other purpose but to
[19]
mislead, impede and obstruct the administration of justice by the Court. In People v. Godoy,
whichtheCAcited,wespecificallyheldthatunderparagraph(d)ofSection3,Rule71oftheRules
of Court, any improper conduct tending, directly or indirectly, to impede, obstruct or degrade the
administrationofjusticeconstitutescriminalcontempt.

Acriminalcontemptproceedinghasbeencharacterizedas suigenerisasitpartakes some of

the elements of both a civil and criminal proceeding, without completely falling under either
proceeding. Its identification with a criminal proceeding is in the use of the principles and rules
applicable to criminal cases, to the extent that criminal procedure is consistent with the summary
natureofacontemptproceeding.Wehaveconsistentlyheldandestablishedthatthestrictrulesthat
govern criminal prosecutions apply to a prosecution for criminal contempt that the accused is
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afforded many of the protections provided in regular criminal cases and that proceedings under
[20]
statutesgoverningthemaretobestrictlyconstrued.

Contempt, too, is not presumed. In proceedings for criminal contempt, the defendant is
presumed innocent and the burden is on the prosecution to prove the charges beyond
[21]
reasonable doubt.
The presumption of innocence can be overcome only by proof of guilt
beyondreasonabledoubt,whichmeansprooftothesatisfactionofthecourtandkeepinginmindthe
presumption of innocence that precludes every reasonable hypothesis except that for which it is
given. It is not sufficient for the proof to establish a probability, even though strong, that the fact
chargedismorelikelytruethanthecontrary.Itmustestablishthetruthofthefacttoareasonable
certaintyandmoralcertaintya certainty that convinces and satisfies the reason and conscience of
[22]
thosewhoaretoactuponit.

Forthepetitionertosucceedinherpetitiontodeclaretherespondentsincontemptforfiling
falsereturnsinthehabeascorpusproceedingsbeforetheCA,shehastheburdenofprovingbeyond
reasonabledoubtthattherespondentshadcustodyofJonas.AstheCAdid,wefindthatthepiecesof
evidence on record as of the time of the CA proceedings were merely circumstantial and did not
provideadirectlinkbetweentherespondentsandtheabductionofJonastheevidencedidnotprove
beyond reasonable doubt that the respondents had a hand in the abduction of Jonas, and
consequently, had custody of him at the time they filed their returns to theWrit of habeas corpus
denyingcustodyofJonas.

However, the subsequent developments in this case, specifically, the investigative findings
presentedtousbytheCHRpointingtoLt.BaliagaasoneoftheabductorsofJonas,havegivena
twist to our otherwise clear conclusion. Investigations will continue, consistent with the nature of
Amparoproceedingstobealiveuntiladefinitiveresultisachieved,andtheseinvestigationsmayyet
yield additional evidence affecting the conclusion the CA made. For this reason, we can only
concludethattheCAsdismissalofthecontemptchargeshouldbeprovisional,i.e.,withoutprejudice
to the refiling of the charge in the future should the petitioner find this step warranted by the
evidenceintheproceedingsrelatedtoJonassdisappearance,includingthecriminalprosecutionsthat
maytranspire.

ToadjusttotheextraordinarynatureofAmparoandhabeascorpusproceedingsandtodirectly
identifythepartiesboundbytheseproceedingswhohavethecontinuingobligationtocomplywith
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our directives, the AFP Chief of Staff, the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, the
DirectorGeneralofthePNP,theChiefofthePNPCIDGandtheTJAGshallbenamedaspartiesto
this case without need of naming their current incumbents, separately from the then incumbent
officialsthatthepetitionernamedinheroriginalAmparoandhabeascorpuspetitions,forpossible
responsibilityandaccountability.

In light of the dismissal of the petitions against President Gloria MacapagalArroyo who is no the
longer the President of the Republic of the Philippines, she should now be dropped as a party
respondentinthesepetitions.

WHEREFORE,intheinterestofjusticeandfortheforegoingreasons,weRESOLVEto:

I.ING.R.NO.183711(HABEASCORPUSPETITION,CAG.R.SPNo.99839)

a.ISSUEaWritofHabeasCorpusanew,returnabletothePresidingJusticeoftheCourt
ofAppealswhoshallimmediatelyreferthewrittothesameDivisionthatdecidedthe
habeascorpuspetition

b.ORDERLt.HarryA.Baliaga,Jr.impleadedinCAG.R.SPNo.99839andG.R.No.
183711,andREQUIREhim,togetherwiththeincumbentChiefofStaff,ArmedForces
ofthe

Philippines the incumbent Commanding General, Philippine Army and the

CommandingOfficerofthe56thIB,7thInfantryDivision,PhilippineArmyatthetime
of the disappearance of Jonas Joseph T. Burgos, Lt. Col. Melquiades Feliciano, to
produce the person of Jonas Joseph T. Burgos under the terms the Court ofAppeals
shallprescribe,andtoshowcausewhyJonasJosephT.Burgosshouldnotbereleased
fromdetention

c. REFERbackthepetitionforhabeascorpustothesameDivisionoftheCourtof
Appeals which shall continue to hear this case after the required Returns shall have
beenfiledandrenderanewdecisionwithinthirty(30)daysafterthecaseissubmitted
fordecisionand

d.ORDERtheChiefofStaffoftheArmedForcesofthePhilippinesandtheCommanding
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General of the PhilippineArmy to be impleaded as parties, separate from the original

respondentsimpleadedinthepetition,andthedroppingordeletionofPresidentGloria
MacapagalArroyoaspartyrespondent.

II.ING.R.NO.183712(CONTEMPTOFCOURTCHARGE,CAG.R.SPNo.100230)

e. AFFIRMthedismissalofthepetitionerspetitionforContemptinCAG.R.SPNo.
100230,withoutprejudicetotherefilingofthecontemptchargeasmaybewarranted
bytheresultsofthesubsequentCHRinvestigationthisCourthasorderedand

f. ORDERthedroppingordeletionofformerPresidentGloriaMacapagalArroyoas
partyrespondent,inlightoftheunconditionaldismissalofthecontemptchargeagainst
her.

III.ING.R.NO.183713(WRITOFAMPAROPETITION,CAG.R.SPNo.00008WA)

g.ORDERLt.HarryA.Baliaga,Jr., impleadedinCAG.R.SPNo.00008WAandG.R.
No.183713,withoutprejudicetosimilardirectiveswemayissuewithrespecttoothers
whose identities and participation may be disclosed in future investigations and
proceedings

h.DIRECTLt.HarryA.Baliaga,Jr.,andthe presentAmparorespondentstofiletheir
Comments on the CHR report with the Court of Appeals, within a nonextendible
periodoffifteen(15)daysfromreceiptofthisResolution.

i.REQUIREGeneralRoaoftheOfficeoftheJudgeAdvocateGeneral,AFPtheDeputy
ChiefofStaffforPersonnel,JI,AFP, atthetimeofourJune22,2010Resolutionand
then Chief of Staff,AFP, Gen. Ricardo David, (a) to show cause and explain to this
Court, within a nonextendible period of fifteen (15) days from receipt of this
Resolution,whytheyshouldnotbeheldincontemptofthisCourtfortheirdefianceof
ourJune22,2010Resolutionand(b)tosubmittothisCourt,withinanonextendible
period of fifteen (15) days from receipt of this Resolution, a copy of the documents
requestedbytheCHR,particularly:
1) TheprofileandSummaryofInformationandpicturesofT/Sgt.JasonRoxas
(Philippine Army) Cpl. Maria Joana Francisco (Philippine Air Force) M/Sgt.
AronArroyo(PhilippineAirForce)analiasT.L.allreportedlyassignedwith
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MilitaryIntelligenceGroup15ofIntelligenceServiceoftheArmedForcesofthe
Philippinesand2Lt.Fernando,aladyofficerinvolvedinthecounterinsurgency
operationsofthe56thIBin2006to2007
2)Copiesoftherecordsofthe2007ERAP5incidentinKamuning,QuezonCity
and the complete list of the intelligence operatives involved in that said covert
military operation, including their respective Summary of Information and
individualpicturesand
3) Completelistoftheofficers,womenandmenassignedatthe56thand69th
InfantryBattalionandthe7thInfantryDivisionfromJanuary1,2004toJune30,
2007 with their respective profiles, Summary of Information and pictures
includingthelistofcapturedrebelsandrebelswhosurrenderedtothesaidcamps
and their corresponding pictures and copies of their Tactical Interrogation
Reportsandthecasesfiledagainstthem,ifany.
These documents shall be released exclusively to this Court for our examination to
determine their relevance to the present case and the advisability of their public
disclosure.

j.ORDERtheChiefofStaffoftheArmedForcesofthePhilippinesandtheCommanding
General of the PhilippineArmy to be impleaded as parties, in representation of their
respective organizations, separately from the original respondents impleaded in the
petitionandthedroppingofPresidentGloriaMacapagalArroyoaspartyrespondent

k. REFERwitnessesJeffreyT.CabintoyandElsaB.AgasangtotheDepartmentof
JusticeforadmissiontotheWitnessProtectionSecurityandBenefitProgram,subjectto
therequirementsofRepublicActNo.6981and

l.NOTEthecriminalcomplaintfiledbythepetitionerwiththeDOJwhichthelattermay
investigateandactupononitsownpursuanttoSection21oftheRuleontheWritof
Amparo.

SOORDERED.

ARTUROD.BRION
AssociateJustice

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WECONCUR:

RENATOC.CORONA
ChiefJustice

ANTONIOT.CARPIOPRESBITEROJ.VELASCO,JR.
AssociateJusticeAssociateJustice

(ONWELLNESSLEAVE)
TERESITAJ.LEONARDODECASTRODIOSDADOM.PERALTA
AssociateJusticeAssociateJustice

LUCASP.BERSAMINMARIANOC.DELCASTILLO
AssociateJusticeAssociateJustice

ROBERTOA.ABADMARTINS.VILLARAMA,JR.
AssociateJusticeAssociateJustice

JOSEPORTUGALPEREZJOSECATRALMENDOZA
AssociateJusticeAssociateJustice

MARIALOURDESP.A.SERENO
AssociateJustice

CERTIFICATION

PursuanttoSection13,ArticleVIIIoftheConstitution,itisherebycertifiedthattheconclusions
intheaboveResolutionhadbeenreachedinconsultationbeforethecasewasassignedtothewriterof
theopinionoftheCourt.

RENATOC.CORONA
ChiefJustice

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*OnWellnessLeave
[1]
PursuanttoRule45oftheRulesofCourt.
[2]
Penned by Associate Justice Rosalinda AsuncionVicente and with Associate Justices Remedios A. SalazarFernando and Myrna
DimarananVidal,concurringrollo,pp.72119.
[3]
CAG.R.SPNo.99839.
[4]
CAG.R.SPNo.100230.
[5]
CAG.R.SPNo.00008WA.
[6]
ThedispositiveportionoftheCAdecisionreads:
WHEREFORE,basedonalloftheforegoingpremises,judgmentisherebyrenderedasfollows:

1.ThePetitionforHabeasCorpusinCAG.R.SPNo.99839andthePetitionforContemptinCAG.R.SPNo.
100230arebothDISMISSED.

2.ThePetitionforAmparoinCAG.R.SPNo.00008WAisPARTIALLYGRANTED. Theprivilegeofthewrit
ofamparoisgrantedashereunderspecified,viz:

1.RespondentsLt.Gen.AlexanderYanoandDir.Gen.AvelinoRazon,Jr.,arehereby ORDEREDto
makeavailable,andprovidecopiestopetitioner,alldocumentsandrecordsintheirpossessionrelevanttothe
caseofJonasJosephBurgos,subjecttoreasonableregulationsconsistentwiththeConstitutionandexisting
laws

2. RespondentCommissiononHumanRights,throughitsChairperson,isDIRECTEDtofurnish
petitionerdocumentsnotyetonfilewiththisCourt,pursuanttoitsundertakingbeforethisCourtduringthe
hearingheldonJanuary21,2008

3.RespondentDir.Gen.AvelinoRazon,Jr.isherebyDIRECTEDtocontinuewith,andconduct,afull
and thorough investigation of the case of Jonas Joseph Burgos and to cause the immediate filing of the
appropriatechargesagainstallthosewhomaybefoundresponsiblethereforwiththeDepartmentofJustice

4. Respondent Lt. Gen.Alexander Yano is likewise hereby DIRECTED conduct a thorough

investigation of the circumstances surrounding the loss of license plate no. TAB 194 and the possible
involvementofanyAFPpersonnelintheallegedabductionofJonasJosephBurgos

5. RespondentsLt.Gen.YanoandDir.Gen.RazonareherebyREQUIREDtosubmitacompliance
report to this Court, copy furnished the petitioner, within ten (10) days after completion of their respective
organization.

PetitionersMotiontoDeclareRespondentsinContemptisDENIEDadmissionandorderedexpungedfromthe
recordsofthiscase.

RespondentsManifestationandMotiondatedJuly1,2008isNOTED.

SOORDERED.
[7]
Supranote14.
[8]
Id.at493495.
[9]
Id.at496498.
[10]
Id.at498.
[11]
Rollo,pp.769897.
[12]
Id.at808812.
[13]
Id.at812815.
[14]
OnJune9,2011,EditaBurgosfiledacriminalcomplaintbeforetheDepartmentofJusticeagainstMajorHarryBaliagaJr.,Lieutenant
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Colonel
Melquaides
Feliciano,
Col.
Eduardo
Ano
and
several
unidentified
soldiers
(http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/13553/burgos%E2%80%99momsupportersfilecriminalrapsvsmilitaryofficers).
[15]
Rollo,pp.813814.
[16]
Gen.HermogenesEsperonretiredonFebruary9,2008Gen.RicardoDavidwastheincumbentChiefofStaff,AFPatthetimewe
issuedourJune22,2010Resolution.
[17]
Rollo,pp.104106.
[18]
G.R.No.156829,June8,2004,431SCRA415,423425.
[19]
G.R.Nos.11590809,March29,1995,243SCRA64,80.
[20]
Id.at7879.
[21]
Id.at80.
[22]
Peoplev.Castillo,G.R.No.132895,March10,2004,425SCRA136,166,citingUnitedStatesv.Reyes,3Phil.6(1903).

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