Desaparecidos, an organization of families and friends of victims of enforced disappearance in the Philippines, warmly congratulates Jose Luis “JL” Burgos, as his documentary film “Alipato at Muog” (Flying Embers and a Fortress) makes it as a finalist in Cinemalaya 2024’s full length film category.
JL, a member of Desaparecidos, is a filmmaker, visual artist and activist. His parents Joe and Edith Burgos, together with other journalists, ran WeForum, a publication during Marcos’ martial law that released stories on human rights, poverty and corruption during the dictatorship. Their family endured injustice in their search for JL’s abducted brother Jonas, who has been missing since April 2007.
“Alipato at Muog” outlines the struggles and pains of the Burgos family in their search and fight for justice for Jonas — a plight shared by all families of desaparecidos.
We support JL’s initiative in sharing this film to the public via Cinemalaya, as we thank all filmmakers, artists and educators who produce works that shine light on the crime of enforced disappearance in the Philippines.
Despite a law criminalizing enforced disappearance, these brutal acts continue, especially under the dictator Marcos’ son. At least 12 individuals have been abducted under the Marcos Jr. regime and remain missing. This number includes Dexter Capuyan and Bazoo de Jesus, who were abducted in April 2023, and Maria Elena Pampoza and Elgene Mungcal, abducted in July 2022 and the first victims of enforced disappearance under Marcos Jr.
We call on the public to watch “Alipato at Muog” in Cinemalaya’s venues for their festival. We likewise encourage various groups, organizations and individuals to organize screenings of the documentary film in communities, workplaces and schools. We will work with the Burgos family in bringing the documentary’s message wherever possible.
Desaparecidos stands steadfast with all families of the disappeared and the Filipino people in our collective struggle for genuine justice and democracy.
Surface all desaparecidos!
Justice for the disappeared and all victims of State violence!