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635Phil.465

ENBANC
[G.R.No.183711,June22,2010]
EDITAT.BURGOS,PETITIONER,VS.PRESIDENTGLORIAMACAPAGALARROYO,GEN.HERMOGENES
ESPERON,JR.,LT.GEN.ROMEOP.TOLENTINO,MAJ.GEN.JUANITOGOMEZ,MAJ.GEN.DELFINBANGIT,
LT.COL.NOELCLEMENT,LT.COL.MELQUIADESFELICIANO,ANDDIRECTORGENERALOSCARCALDERON,
RESPONDENTS.
[G.R.NO.183712]
EDITAT.BURGOS,PETITIONER,VS.PRESIDENTGLORIAMACAPAGALARROYO,GEN.HERMOGENES
ESPERON,JR.,LT.GEN.ROMEOP.TOLENTINO,MAJ.GEN.JUANITOGOMEZ,LT.COL.MELQUIADES
FELICIANO,ANDLT.COL.NOELCLEMENT,RESPONDENTS.
[G.R.NO.183713]
EDITAT.BURGOS,PETITIONER,VS.CHIEFOFSTAFFOFTHEARMEDFORCESOFTHEPHILIPPINESGEN.
HERMOGENESESPERON,JR.COMMANDINGGENERALOFTHEPHILIPPINEARMY,LT.GEN.ALEXANDER
YANOANDCHIEFOFTHEPHILIPPINENATIONALPOLICE,DIRECTORGENERALAVELINORAZON,JR.,
RESPONDENTS.
RESOLUTION
BRION,J.:
OnJuly17,2008,theCourtofAppeals(CA)issuedadecision[1] in the consolidated petitions for the Issuance of the Writ of Habeas
Corpus,[2]forContempt[3] and for the Issuance of a Writ ofAmparo[4] filed by petitioner Edita T. Burgos on behalf of her son Jonas
JosephT.Burgos,whowasforciblytakenandabductedbyagroupoffourmenandbyawomanfromtheextensionportionofHapag
KainanRestaurant,locatedatthegroundfloorofEverGotescoMall,CommonwealthAvenue,QuezonCity,onApril28,2007.ThisCA
decision[5]dismissedthepetitioner'spetitionfortheIssuanceoftheWritofHabeasCorpusdeniedthepetitioner'smotiontodeclare
therespondentsincontemptandpartiallygrantedtheprivilegeoftheWritofAmparoinfavorofthepetitioner.
TheAntecedents
Theestablishedfacts,asfoundbytheCA,aresummarizedbelow: [6]
Theestablishedfactsshowthatataroundoneo'clockintheafternoonofApril28,2007,JonasJosephT.Burgosafarmeradvocate
andamemberofKilusangMagbubukidsaBulacan(achapterofthemilitantpeasantorganizationKilusangMagbubukidngPilipinas)
was forcibly taken and abducted by a group of four (4) men and a woman from the extension portion of Hapag Kainan Restaurant,
locatedatthegroundfloorofEverGotescoMall,CommonwealthAvenue,QuezonCity.Onhiswayoutoftherestaurant,Jonastoldthe
manager, "Ma'am aktibista lang po ako!" When a security guard tried to intervene, after he noticed that the group was forcibly
draggingamalepersonoutoftherestaurant,hewastold,"Pare,pulis!"TheguardthenbackedoffbutwasabletoseethatJonaswas
forcedintotherearportionofaplainmarooncoloredToyotaRevowithplatenumberTAB194.Theguardthennotedtheplatenumber
andreportedtheincidenttohissuperiorsaswellastothepoliceondutyinthesaidmall.
OnApril30,2007,thepetitionerheldapressconferenceandannouncedthathersonJonaswasmissing.Thatsameday,thepetitioner
sought confirmation from the guard if the person abducted was her son Jonas. Upon subsequent police investigation and LTO
verification, it was discovered that plate number TAB 194 was registered to a 1991 Isuzu XLT vehicle owned by a certain Mauro B.
Mudlong.ItwasalsolaterconfirmedbyemployeesoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources(DENR)thatMudlongwas
arrestedandhis1991IsuzuXLTvehiclewasseizedonJune24,2006byCpl.CastroBugalanandPfc.JoseVilleaofthe56thInfantry
Battalion(IB)ofthePhilippineArmyfortransportingtimberwithoutpermit.AsagreeduponbytheDENRemployeesandofficersofthe
56thIB,thevehiclewiththelicenseplateno.TAB194wasimpoundedinthe56thIBheadquarterswhosecommandingofficeratthat
timewasLt.Col.NoelClement.
TheestablishedfactsalsoshowthatLt.Col.Clementandthesoldiersofthe56thIBwentonretrainingattheHeadquartersoftheFirst
ScoutRangersRegiment(CampTecson)inBrgy.Tartaro,SanMiguel,BulacanstartingNovember28,2006.A"leftbehindforce"ora
squadremainedinthecampofthe56thIBtosecurethepremisesandequipmentasitawaitedthearrivalofthe69thIB,headedbyLt.
Col.EdisonCaga,whichtookoverthe56thIB'sareaofresponsibilityforthedurationoftheretraining.The69thIBarrivedatCamp
TecsononDecember1,2006,andremainedthereuntilMarch7,2007,whenthe56th IB returned. There was no formal turnover or
inventoryofequipmentandvehicleswhenthe69thIBarrivedonDecember1,2006.
Meanwhile,onJanuary17,2007,Lt.Col.MelquiadesFelicianotookcommandofthe56thIBfromLt.Col.Clement.Theactualturnover
ofcommandtookplaceatCampTecsonwherethe56thIBwasretraining.AtthetimeJonaswasabductedonApril28,2007,Lt.Col.
Felicianowasthe56thIB'scommandingofficer.Earlier,onMarch23,2007,2ndLt.DickA.Abletes,amemberofthe56thIB,wascaught
onvideotalkingtotwopersons,amaleandafemale,atMcDonald'sBocaue.Inthevideo,hewasseenhandingadocumenttothetwo

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persons.OnMarch26,2007,2ndLt.AbleteswasarrestedandchargesweresoonfiledagainsthimwiththeJudgeAdvocateGeneralfor
violationsofArticles82,96and97oftheArticlesofWar.
PriortoJonas'abduction,Mudlong's1991IsuzuXLTvehicleremainedimpoundedatthe56thIB'sHeadquarters.InMay2007,rightafter
Jonas'abductionwasmadepublic,itwasdiscoveredthatplatenumberTAB194ofthis1991IsuzuXLTvehiclewasmissing,andthe
engineandothersparepartswere"cannibalized."
On direct examination, the petitioner testified before the CA that the police was able to generate cartographic sketches of two (one
maleandonefemale)oftheabductorsofJonasbasedonitsinterviewofeyewitnesses.[7]Thepetitionernarratedfurtherthatthese
cartographicsketcheswereidentifiedbyStateProsecutorEmmanuelVelascooftheDepartmentofJustice(DOJ)thatwhenshewent
toseeStateProsecutorVelascopersonally,hegaveher"fivenames"whowereallegedlyinvolvedintheabductionofJonas(namely
T/Sgt. Jason Roxas, Cpl. Joana Francisco, M/Sgt. Aron Arroyo, and 1st Lt. Jaime Mendaros) [8] and that the information from State
Prosecutor Velasco's sources corroborated the same information she received earlier from her own sources.[9] The petitioner also
testifiedthatnothingcameoutoftheinformationgivenbyStateProsecutorVelascobecausehewas"pulledoutfromtheinvestigation
bytheDOJSecretary,"[10]andthatthepolice,particularlyP/Supt.JonnelC.Estomo,failedtoinvestigateandactupontheseleads.[11]
On August 30, 2007, P/Supt. Estomo (the lead investigator in the investigation conducted by the Philippine National PoliceCriminal
Investigation and Detection Group [PNPCIDG]) testified before the CA that he did not investigate or look into the identities of the
cartographicsketchesofthetwoabductorsprovidedbythePNPCriminalInvestigationUnit,QuezonCity.[12]P/Supt.Estomotestified
further that he showed the photos of Cpl. Bugalan and Pfc.Villea to witness Larry Marquez for identification but failed to show any
photosoftheotherofficersandmenofthe56thIB.[13]Finally,P/Supt.Estomoalsotestifiedthathedidnotpropoundanyclarificatory
questionsregardingthedisappearanceofJonasBurgostoLt.Cols.Feliciano,Clement,andCagaofthe56thIBwhomerelyvoluntarily
submittedtheirstatements.[14]
On August 29, 2007, the PNPCIDG presented Emerito Lipio @ KA TIBO/KA CRIS, Marlon D. Manuel @ KA CARLO, and Melissa
ConcepcionReyes@KALISA/RAMILtosupportthetheorythatelementsoftheNewPeople'sArmy(NPA)perpetratedtheabductionof
Jonas.[15]InhisSwornStatement,LipioadmittedthatheisamemberoftheCommunistPartyofthePhilippines(CPP)/NPAandthat
the NPA was behind the abduction of Jonas. Lipio revealed that Jonas is known as @KA RAMON in the communist movement. He
claimed further that he and @KA RAMON belonged to the Bulacan Party Committee, assigned to the White Area Committee doing
intelligence work for the movement under the leadership of Delfin de Guzman @ KA BASTE, and that @KA RAMON was their political
instructorandheadoftheintelligenceunitintheprovince.[16]
SometimeearlyAprilof2007,Lipiowaspresentinameetingbetween@KABASTEand@KARAMON.Atthismeeting,thetwohada
heated argument. For this reason, @KA BASTE instructed Lipio to place @KA RAMON under surveillance as they suspected him of
pilferingfundsfromthepartyandofactingasamilitaryagent.[17]
Lipio further averred that upon instruction of @KA BASTE, he and a certain @KA CARLO proceeded to Ever Gotesco Mall on April 28,
2007tomonitorthereportedmeetingbetween@KARAMONandotherpartymembers.Atoneo'clockintheafternoon,Lipioand@KA
CARLO(whostationedthemselvesneartheentrance/exitofthemall)sawaman,whotheyrecognizedas@KARAMON,forciblytaken
by four men, brought outside of the mall, and shoved inside a Toyota Revo. Lipio further alleged that he recognized two of the
abductorsas"@KADANTE"and"@KAENSO"whoheclaimstobemembersoftheCPP/NPA'sguerillaunit(RYG).[18]
InhisSwornStatement,ManuelaffirmedandsubstantiatedLipio'sstatementthat@KARAMONandJonasareoneandthesameperson
and that he is a member of the communist movement in Bulacan. Manuel also corroborated Lipio's statement regarding the
circumstancesoftheabductionof@KARAMONatEverGotescoMallonApril28,2007heconfirmedthatheand@KATIBOwitnessed
theabduction.[19]
Reyes,arebelreturnee,providedinherSwornStatementadditionalmaterialinformationregardingthedisappearanceofJonas.Reyes
allegedthatshewassupposedtomeetwith@KARAMONandanothercomradeinthemovement(whomsheidentifiedas@KAJO)to
discussthepossibilityofarrangingameetingwithacontactinthemilitary.Sheaverredthatshemet@KAJOatabout11:30a.m.at
theBaliaugTransitTerminal,CubaoenroutetoEverGotescomallwheretheywouldmeetwithacertain@KARAMON.Reyesfurther
narratedthattheyarrivedaboutnoonatEverGotescomall@KAJOleftheratMcDonald'sandtoldhertowaitwhilehewenttolook
for@KARAMON.Afteranhour,@KAJOarrivedwithout@KARAMONandtoldReyestogohomeandjustkeepintouchthroughtext
messaging.Reyesallegedfurtherthatshehasnotheardfrom@KAJOsince.[20]
TheCAFindings
InitsJuly17,2008decision,theCAfoundthattheevidencethepetitionerpresentedfailedtoestablishherclaimeddirectconnection
betweentheabductorsofJonasandthemilitary.TheCAnotedthattheevidencedoesnotshowhowlicenseplatenumberTAB194
(supposedly attached to the 1991 Isuzu XLT vehicle impounded at the 56th IB Headquarters) came to be attached to the getaway
ToyotaRevoonApril28,2007,andwhetherthetwolicenseplatesareoneandthesameatall.TheCAemphasizedthattheevidence
doesnotindicatewhethertheabductorsaremembersofthemilitaryorthepoliceorareciviliansiftheyarecivilians,whetherthey
actedontheirownorwerefollowingorders,andinthelattercase,fromwhom.
TheCAalsofoundthattheinvestigationsbytheArmedForcesofthePhilippines(AFP)andthePNP"leavemuchtobedesiredasthey
didnotfullyexerttheirefforttounearththetruthandtobringtherealculpritsbeforethebarofjustice."[21]TheCAheldthatsincethe
petitioner has established that the vehicle used in the abduction was linked to a vehicle (with license plate number TAB 194)
impoundedattheheadquartersofthe56th IB, it became the burden of the AFP to exercise extraordinary diligence to determine the
whyandthewhereforeofthelossofthelicenseplateintheircustodyanditsappearanceinavehicle(amaroonToyotaRevo)usedin

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Jonas'abduction.TheCAalsoruledthattheAFPhastheburdenof"connect[ing]certainlooseends"[22]regardingtheidentityof@Ka
Ramon(asreferredtobythepetitioner'switnesses)andtheallegationthat@KaRamonisindeedJonasinthe"OrderofBattle."
AsforthePNPCIDG,theCAbrandeditsinvestigationas"rathershallow"and"conductedhaphazardly."TheCAtooknotethatP/Supt.
Estomo'sinvestigationmerelydelvedintotheadministrativeliabilityofLt.Col.Clement,Lt.Col.FelicianoandLt.Col.Cagaofthe56th
IB,andfailedtoconsiderthemassuspectsintheabductionofJonas.TheCAemphasizedthatthePNPCIDG'sinvestigationshould
focus on the criminal aspect of the present case pursuant to Section 24 of Republic Act No. 6975, which mandates the PNP to
"investigateandpreventcrimes,effectthearrestofcriminaloffenders,bringoffenderstojusticeandassistintheirprosecution."
TheCAalsofoundP/Supt.Estomo'srecommendationthatappropriatechargesbefiledagainstMauroMudlong(registeredownerofthe
impounded1991IsuzuXLTvehiclewithplatelicenseno.TAB194)tobewithoutanyfactualbasissincenoevidencewaspresentedto
connectthelattertothelossofthelicenseplateaswellastotheabductionofJonas.TheCAstressedthatitcouldnotfindanyvalid
reasonwhyMudlongshouldbetreatedanydifferentlyfromthethree56thIBcolonelswhomthePNPCIDGdidnotconsiderassuspects
despitetheestablishedfactthatlicenseplateno.TAB194waslostwhileintheircustody.
On the PNPCIDG's new information from Lipio who claimed to have seen Jonas being abducted by a certain @KA DANTE and @KA
ENSOoftheCPP/NPAguerillaunitRYG,andonMarlonManuel,whocorroboratedLipio'sstatements,theCAheldthatstepsshouldbe
takenbythePNPCIDGtoverifytheveracityofthesestatements.Notwithstandingthenewinformation,theCAnotedthatthePNP
CIDG should not discount the possible involvement of members of the AFP. Thus, the CA concluded that the PNP must exert
extraordinarydiligenceinfollowingallpossibleleadstoresolvethecrimecommittedagainstJonas.Finally,theCAnotedbasedon
theCertificationissuedbytheAssistantChiefStateProsecutor,DOJdatedMarch5,2008thatnocasehasbeenreferredbythePNP
to the DOJ for preliminary investigation in relation to the abduction and disappearance of Jonas. This is contrary to PNP's manifest
representation that it had already forwarded all pertinent and relevant documents to the DOJ for the filing of appropriate charges
againstthesuspects(i.e.,@KADANTEand@KAENSO).
The CA also held that the petitions for habeascorpus and contempt as against President Gloria MacapagalArroyo must be dropped
sincesheenjoystheprivilegeofimmunityfromsuit.TheCAruledthatthePresident'simmunityfromsuitisasettleddoctrineciting
Davidv.Arroyo.[23]
OurRuling
ConsideringthefindingsoftheCAandourreviewoftherecordsofthepresentcase,weconcludethatthePNPandtheAFPhavesofar
failedtoconductanexhaustiveandmeaningfulinvestigationintothedisappearanceofJonasBurgos,andtoexercisetheextraordinary
diligence (in the performance of their duties) that the Rule on the Writ of Amparo requires. Because of these investigative
shortcomings,wecannotruleonthecaseuntilamoremeaningfulinvestigation,usingextraordinarydiligence,isundertaken.
Fromtherecords,wenotethatthereareverysignificantlapsesinthehandlingoftheinvestigationamongthemthePNP
CIDG's failure to identify the cartographic sketches of two (one male and one female) of the five abductors of Jonas based on their
interview of eyewitnesses to the abduction. This lapse is based on the information provided to the petitioner by no less than State
ProsecutorEmmanuelVelascooftheDOJwhoidentifiedthepersonswhowerepossiblyinvolvedintheabduction,namely:T/Sgt.Jason
Roxas(PhilippineArmy),Cpl.MariaJoanaFrancisco(PhilippineAirForce),M/Sgt.AronArroyo(PhilippineAirForce),andanaliasT.L.,
allreportedlyassignedwithMilitaryIntelligenceGroup15ofIntelligenceServiceoftheAFP.[24]Nosearchandcertificationwereever
madeonwhetherthesepersonswereAFPpersonnelorinotherbranchesoftheservice,suchasthePhilippineAirForce.Astestifiedto
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 abductors despite the evidentiary leads provided by State Prosecutor Velasco of the DOJ. Notably, the PNP
CIDG,astheleadinvestigatingagencyinthepresentcase,didnotappeartohaveliftedafingertopursuetheseaspectsofthecase.
Wenote,too,thatnoindependentinvestigationappearedtohavebeenmadebythePNPCIDGtoinquireintotheveracityofLipio's
andManuel'sclaimsthatJonaswasabductedbyacertain@KADANTEandacertain@KAENSOoftheCPP/NPAguerillaunitRYG.The
recordsdonotindicatewhetherthePNPCIDGconductedafollowupinvestigationtodeterminetheidentitiesandwhereaboutsof@KA
Dante and @KA ENSO. These omissions were aggravated by the CA finding that the PNP has yet to refer any case for preliminary
investigationtotheDOJdespiteitsrepresentationbeforetheCAthatithadforwardedallpertinentandrelevantdocumentstotheDOJ
forthefilingofappropriatechargesagainst@KADANTEand@KAENSO.
Based on these considerations, we conclude that further investigation and monitoring should be undertaken. While
significant leads have been provided to investigators, the investigations by the PNPCIDG, the AFP Provost Marshal, and even the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) have been less than complete. The PNPCIDG's investigation particularly leaves much to be
desiredintermsoftheextraordinarydiligencethattheRuleontheWritofAmparorequires.Forthisreason,weresolvetoreferthe
presentcasetotheCHRastheCourt'sdirectlycommissionedagencytaskedwiththecontinuationoftheinvestigationoftheBurgos
abductionandthegatheringofevidence,withtheobligationtoreportitsfactualfindingsandrecommendationstothisCourt.Wetake
intoconsiderationinthisregardthattheCHRisaspecializedandindependentagencycreatedandempoweredbytheConstitutionto
investigate all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights and to provide appropriate legal measures for the
protectionofhumanrightsofallpersonswithinthePhilippines.[25]
Underthismandate,theCHRistaskedtoconductappropriateinvestigativeproceedings,includingfieldinvestigationsactingasthe
Court'sdirectlycommissionedagencyforpurposesoftheRuleontheWritofAmparowiththetasksof:(a)ascertainingtheidentities
of the persons appearing in the cartographic sketches of the two alleged abductors as well as their whereabouts (b) determining
based on records, past and present, the identities and locations of the persons identified by State Prosecutor Velasco alleged to be
involved in the abduction of Jonas, namely: T/Sgt. Jason Roxas (Philippine Army) Cpl. Maria Joana Francisco (Philippine Air Force),
M/Sgt. Aron Arroyo (Philippine Air Force), and an alias T.L., all reportedly assigned with Military Intelligence Group 15 of Intelligence
ServiceoftheAFPfurtherproceedingsandinvestigations,asmaybenecessary,shouldbemadetopursuetheleadallegedlyprovided
by State Prosecutor Velasco on the identities of the possible abductors (c) inquiring into the veracity of Lipio's and Manuel's claims

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thatJonaswasabductedbyacertain@KADANTEand@KAENSOoftheCPP/NPAguerillaunitRYG(d)determiningbasedonrecords,
pastandpresent,aswellasfurtherinvestigation,theidentitiesandwhereaboutsof@KADANTEand@KAENSOand(e)undertaking
allmeasures,intheinvestigationoftheBurgosabductionthatmaybenecessarytoliveuptotheextraordinarymeasureswerequirein
addressinganenforceddisappearanceundertheRuleontheWritofAmparo.
WHEREFORE,intheinterestofjusticeandfortheforegoingreasons,theCourtRESOLVESto:
(1)DIRECTtheCommissiononHumanRightstoconductappropriateinvestigativeproceedings,includingfieldinvestigationsacting
astheCourt'sdirectlycommissionedagencyforpurposesoftheRuleontheWritofAmparowiththetasksof:(a)ascertainingthe
identitiesofthecartographicsketchesoftwooftheabductorsaswellastheirwhereabouts(b)determiningbasedonrecords,past
andpresent,theidentitiesandlocationsofthepersonsidentifiedbyStateProsecutorVelascoallegedtobeinvolvedintheabductionof
Jonasnamely:T/Sgt.JasonRoxas(PhilippineArmy),Cpl.MariaJoanaFrancisco(PhilippineAirForce),M/Sgt.AronArroyo(Philippine
AirForce),andanaliasT.L.,allreportedlyassignedwithMilitaryIntelligenceGroup15ofIntelligenceServiceoftheArmedForcesof
thePhilippinesfurtherproceedingsandinvestigations,asmaybenecessary,shouldbemadetopursuetheleadallegedlyprovidedby
StateProsecutorVelascoontheidentitiesofthepossibleabductors(c)inquiringintotheveracityofLipio'sandManuel'sclaimsthat
Jonaswasabductedbyacertain@KADANTEand@KAENSOoftheCPP/NPAguerillaunitRYG(d)determiningbasedonrecords,past
and present, as well as further investigation, the identities and whereabouts of @KA DANTE and @KA ENSO and (e) undertaking all
measures,intheinvestigationoftheBurgosabduction,thatmaybenecessarytoliveuptotheextraordinarymeasureswerequirein
addressinganenforceddisappearanceundertheRuleontheWritofAmparo
(2)REQUIREtheincumbentChiefsoftheArmedForcesofthePhilippinesandthePhilippineNationalPolicetomakeavailableandto
provide copies, to the Commission on Human Rights, of all documents and records in their possession and as the Commission on
Human Rights may require, relevant to the case of Jonas Joseph T. Burgos, subject to reasonable regulations consistent with the
Constitutionandexistinglaws
(3) DIRECT the PNPCIDG and its incumbent Chief to submit to the Commission on Human Rights the records and results of the
investigation the PNPCIDG claimed to have forwarded to the Department of Justice, which were not included in their previous
submissionstotheCommissiononHumanRights,includingsuchrecordsastheCommissiononHumanRightsmayrequire,pursuantto
theauthoritygrantedunderthisResolution
(4)FurtherDIRECT the PNPCIDG to provide direct investigative assistance to the Commission on Human Rights as it may require,
pursuanttotheauthoritygrantedunderthisResolution
(5) AUTHORIZE the Commission on Human Rights to conduct a comprehensive and exhaustive investigation that extends to all
aspects of the case (not limited to the specific directives as outlined above), as the extraordinary measures the case may require
undertheRuleontheWritofAmparoand
(6) REQUIRE the Commission on Human Rights to submit to this Court a Report with its recommendations, copy furnished the
petitioner,theincumbentChiefsoftheAFP,thePNPandthePNPCIDG,andalltherespondents,withinninety(90)daysfromreceiptof
thisResolution.
InlightoftheretirementofLt.GeneralAlexanderYanoandthereassignmentoftheotherrespondentswhohaveallbeenimpleadedin
theirofficialcapacities,allsubsequentresolutionsandactionsfromthisCourtshallalsobeservedon,andbedirectlyenforceableby,
the incumbents of the impleaded offices/units whose official action is necessary. The present respondents shall continue to be
personallyimpleadedforpurposesoftheresponsibilitiesandaccountabilitiestheymayhaveincurredduringtheirincumbencies.
ThedismissalofthepetitionsforContemptandfortheIssuanceofaWritofAmparowithrespecttoPresidentGloriaMacapagalArroyo
isherebyAFFIRMED.
SOORDERED.
Corona,C.J.,Carpio,CarpioMorales,Velasco,Jr.,Nachura,LeonardoDeCastro,Peralta,Bersamin,DelCastillo,Abad,Villarama,Jr.,
andPerez,JJ.,concur.
Mendoza,J.,onleave

[1]Rollo,pp.71119.
[2]CAG.R.SPNo.99839.
[3]CAG.R.SPNo.100230.
[4]CAG.R.SPNo.00008WA.
[5]ThedispositiveportionoftheCAdecisionreads:

WHEREFORE,basedonalloftheforegoingpremises,judgmentisherebyrenderedasfollows:
1.ThePetitionforHabeasCorpusinCAG.R.SPNo.99839andthePetitionforContemptinCAG.R.SPNo.100230areboth
DISMISSED.

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2. The Petition for Amparo in CAG.R. SP No. 00008WA is PARTIALLY GRANTED. The privilege of the writ of amparo is
grantedashereunderspecified,viz:
1. Respondents Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano and Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr., are hereby ORDERED to make available, and
provide copies to petitioner, all documents and records in their possession relevant to the case of Jonas Joseph Burgos,
subjecttoreasonableregulationsconsistentwiththeConstitutionandexistinglaws
2.RespondentCommissiononHumanRights,throughitsChairperson,isDIRECTEDtofurnishpetitionerdocumentsnotyet
onfilewiththisCourt,pursuanttoitsundertakingbeforethisCourtduringthehearingheldonJanuary21,2008
3. Respondent Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. is hereby DIRECTED to continue with, and conduct, a full and thorough
investigation of the case of Jonas Joseph Burgos and to cause the immediate filing of the appropriate charges against all
thosewhomaybefoundresponsiblethereforwiththeDepartmentofJustice
4. Respondent Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano is likewise hereby DIRECTED to conduct a thorough investigation of the
circumstancessurroundingthelossoflicenseplateno.TAB194andthepossibleinvolvementofanyAFPpersonnelinthe
allegedabductionofJonasJosephBurgos
5.RespondentsLt.Gen.YanoandDir.Gen.RazonareherebyREQUIREDtosubmitacompliancereporttothisCourt,copy
furnishedthepetitioner,withinten(10)daysaftercompletionoftheirrespectiveorganization.
Petitioner'sMotiontoDeclareRespondentsinContemptisDENIEDadmissionandorderedexpungedfromtherecordsofthis
case.
Respondents'ManifestationandMotiondatedJuly1,2008isNOTED.
SOORDERED.

[6]Rollo,pp.9697.
[7]TSN,January21,2008,p.21.
[8]Id.at2122.InsupportofherpetitionfortheWritofAmparo,thepetitionerattachedacopyoftheNewsbreakArticlebyGlendaM.

GloriadatedDecember10,2007whichallegedamongothers:

In his July 9, 2007 order to the National Bureau of Investigation, Velasco named three alleged ISAFP agents, including a
woman,whoallegedlytookpartintheabduction.Themilitaryhassaidthatnoneofthenameswereonitsroster,although
aneyewitnessaccountindeedpointstoonewomanaspartoftheteam.Incidentally,ISAFPhastwokeyfemaleagents.
Citing information from contacts of the Burgos family, Velasco also said that two other vehicles served as backups to the
ToyotaRevothatdroveJonasoutofthemall:amaroonLancerwithplatenumberWAM155andaToyotaAltiswithplate
numberXBX881.ThelatterturnedouttobeastaffcarofGeneralTolentino,Armychiefatthetime,promptinghimtoraise
ahowloverwhatheclaimedasplantedinformationdesignedtodiscredithim.
Velasco has since been sacked from the probe, and his order to the NBI is now gathering dust. [See Annex "B" of the
petitioner'sPetitionforReviewonCertioraridatedJuly30,2008rollo,p.125.]

Accordingtonewspaperreports,StateProsecutorVelascoissuedanOrderaskingtheNBItoinvestigateT/Sgt.JasonRoxas(PA),Cpl.
MariaJoanaFrancisco(PAF),M/Sgt.AronArroyo(PAF),andanaliasT.L.,allreportedlyassignedwithMilitaryIntelligenceGroup15of
theIsafp.AlsoorderedinvestigatedwereLt.Col.NoelClement,formercommanderofthe56thIB,andArmy1stLt.JaimeMendaros,
reportedlyassignedwiththe56thIB.SeeLiraDalaginFernandez,GonzalezEyesReliefofVelascofromBurgosCase,PhilippineDaily
Inquirer,
(11
July
2007),
available
at
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/2007071176029/Gonzalez_eyes_relief_of_Velasco_from_Burgos_case,
(last
visitedonJune7,2010)seealsoTheaAlberto,DoJ,UsigToProbePatternsIn"Erap5,"BurgosAbductions,PhilippineDailyInquirer,
(July
11,
2007),
available
at
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/2007071176084/DoJ%2C_Usig_to_probe_patterns_in_%91Erap_5%2C%92_Burgos_abductions
(lastvisitedonJune7,2010).
[9]Supranote7,at24.
[10]Ibid.
[11]Id.at21.
[12]TSN,August30,2007,p.119.
[13]Id.at130131.

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[14]Id.at132.
[15]CArollo,pp.424427.
[16]Id.at407412.
[17]Ibid.
[18]Ibid.
[19]Id.at413419.
[20]Id.at420422.
[21]Id.at108.
[22]Id.at110.
[23]G.R.Nos.171396,171409,171485,171483,171400,171489,and171424,May3,2006,489SCRA160.
[24]Supranote10.
[25]CONSTITUTION,ArticleXIII,Section18.

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