Court orders arrest of Army major in Burgos disappearance

A Quezon City court has ordered the arrest of an Army major in connection with the disappearance of political activist Jonas Burgos in April 2007.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 216 said it found probable cause against Maj. Harry A. Baliaga Jr., who was First Lieutenant at the time of Burgos' disappearance, on charges of arbitrary detention.

Baliaga belongs to the Bulacan-based 56th Infantry Battalion.

"After personally evaluating the evidence... consisting of the affidavits of witnesses... this court finds that probable cause exists against the accused Major Harry Baliaga Jr. and that there is a necessity of placing him under immediate custody in order not to frustrate the ends of justice," according to the arrest warrant signed by Judge Alfonso Ruiz II, a copy of which was provided to GMA News Online by Burgos' brother JL.

The court has allowed a P40,000 bail for Baliaga's temporary freedom.

Burgos, a political activist and son of the late press freedom fighter Jose Burgos, was allegedly abducted in a restaurant at the Ever Gotesco Mall along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on April 28, 2007. The license plate number of the vehicle used in his abduction was traced to a vehicle impounded at the camp of the 56th IB.

The Department of Justice had recommended the filing of criminal charges of arbitrary detention against Baliaga due to strong evidence about his alleged participation in Burgos' disappearance.

Sought for reaction, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang said they have yet to receive a copy of the arrest warrant.

"We assure the public that upon receipt of such warrant of arrest, we shall immediately effect it," he said in a text message to GMA News Online. — KBK, GMA News