Reds salute Joe Burgos

BAGUIO CITY — Even the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has high regards for publisher Jose Burgos.

CPP senior spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal, said yesterday: "No one can undervalue Jose Burgos’ contributions to the Filipino people’s struggle for press freedom, the freedom of speech and against the Marcos dictatorship in the 1980s."

In an emailed statement from his lair somewhere in Southern Tagalog, Rosal offered condolences to the family, friends and former colleagues of the well-respected journalist.

"We are one with the media people who mourn for his demise," he said.

Burgos, who was in the International Press Institute’s (IPA) "Fifty Press Freedom Heroes of the Century," passed away on Sunday morning due to a lingering ailment at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital in San Juan.

Rosal said the Maoist movement appreciates Burgos’ efforts in the "alternative press" or "mosquito press" of the 1980s in fighting the dictatorship.

During Martial Law, Burgos published We Forum together with other freedom loving Filipino journalist-publishers that composed the so-called "mosquito press." He then went on to head the Malaya newspaper in the midst of Marcos’ control over the mass media.

Malaya, under his leadership, Rosal said, served as a venue for exposing Marcos fascism, corruption and the rottenness of the government.

Burgos was sent to jail by Marcos because of this crusade.

Burgos’ demise, the rebel spokesman added, reminds us to continue protecting the integrity of the mass media especially in the midst of continuing experiences of repression and actual killings of journalists by abusive soldiers, warlords and syndicates.

"The footsteps of Jose Burgos will remain as an inspiration to mediamen, which shall give them the courage and determination to fight for their rights and freedoms against abuses and oppression," said Rosal.

Meanwhile, for his part, Vice President Teofisto Guingona said that "the passing of Burgos leaves our people in grief, and our nation orphaned of yet another patriot who did his work and lived his life with the Filipino’s rights and welfare always in center focus."

"The journalism profession, in particular, will always be indebted to Joe Burgos. May his ideals and integrity live on in the hearts of each and every journalist," he added.

Burgos’ remains lie in state at the Land Farm in San Miguel, Bulacan, a family-owned property where he had lived for the last 15 years. — With Benjie Villa and Sammy Santos