Jinggoy re-files bill creating Commission on Missing Persons

TO help solve the many cases of forced disappearances in the country, opposition stalwart Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has re-filed his bill creating a Commission on Missing Persons.

"This measure generally aims to ensure public safety for each and every member of the community," Estrada said, adding:

"Specifically, it will greatly aid in efforts at finding missing persons through the mobilization of concerned government agencies, officials and resources. By the nature and character of the functions for which it will be created, the Commission can guarantee to solve each and every case that will be brought before it because it can concentrate time and efforts on these cases."

Based on the statistics of human rights group Karapatan, the total extrajudicial killings, since Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took office in 2001, has reached 863 as of last May 15 and most of the victims are militant church workers, farmers and youths.

There are 51 journalists murdered since 2001 and the number of enforced disappearances under the Arroyo administration has already reached 196.

The most prominent victim of forced disappearances is agriculturist Jonas Joseph Burgos, son of late press freedom icon Jose Burgos Jr. The young Burgos was abducted by unidentified men inside a restaurant at Ever Gotesco shopping mall in Quezon City last April 28.

Witnesses said the kidnappers identified themselves as military personnel and overheard the young Burgos saying, "Aktibista lang ako!" before being taken to a waiting Toyota Revo (TAB-194).

The license plate was traced to a vehicle seized by government operatives at 56th Infantry Battalion headquarters of the Philippine Army in Norzagaray, Bulacan several months before the abduction of young Burgos.

The Commission on Missing Persons will be composed of the Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights, the Director-General of the Philippine National Police; Director of the National Bureau of Investigation; the Chairman of the National Police Commission; the Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and two representatives from the private sector with Human Rights advocacy.

Among the functions of the Commission are:

1. Investigation of cases of missing persons;

2. Research, monitoring and supervision of investigation conducted by members of the Police forces on such cases;

3. Coordination of activities of investigation teams with social workers of the DSWD in cases of abandoned or maltreated/abused children and dependents;

4. Formulation of policies and programs towards an effective communication system to aid the search of missing persons; and

5. Devising a system of raising people's consciousness on the issue, and, for informing the Commission about persons found loitering or wandering about aimlessly.

"Through this measure, efforts in searching for missing persons or helping lost persons find their way home will be more systematic and can be done on a nationwide scope. In the long run, it will help make homes and communities more secured.