Film on Disappeared Activist Premieres in Iloilo

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan and Juliane Judilla

The Cinemalaya entry Alipato at Muog will be screened in Iloilo City on November 30, shedding light on the 2007 disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos and its relevance to contemporary activism.

The documentary recounts the abduction of Burgos in broad daylight at a Quezon City mall on April 28, 2007, during the final years of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s presidency.

Jonas Burgos, the son of journalist Joe Burgos—known for his work with WE Forum and Pahayagang Malaya, both part of the “mosquito press” under the Ferdinand Marcos Sr. dictatorship—remains missing.

The film’s director, JL Burgos, Jonas’ younger brother, began documenting the case after his family announced Jonas’ disappearance. The film incorporates 17 years of footage, from mini-DVD recordings to high-definition and 4K-resolution materials.

JL, who previously directed Portraits of Mosquito Press (2015) and Han-ayan (2017), as well as editing the Martial Law-era film Oras De Peligro (2023), told the Daily Guardian that the documentary explores the perspective of families of “desaparecidos,” victims of enforced disappearances often attributed to the state.

He cited the importance of the film on the topic of enforced disappearances, calling it an “unending suffering”. He likewise noted that in the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration, 14 persons  already disappeared.

“Alipato at Muog is about searching for Jonas and other desaparecidos. It shares my perspective as his brother and as a filmmaker. Audiences will feel the fear, anger, sadness, and hope of families longing for the return of their loved ones and seeking justice,” JL said.

He also highlighted the importance of educating younger generations about Jonas’ case, noting that many are unaware of his story.

“I was able to speak to one young activist, asking him about Jonas’ case. They told me that they didn’t know who Jonas was. It wasn’t their fault that they didn’t know my brother and it was our responsibility to introduce him to a younger generation. That hit me, what they said. I told myself it was my responsibility, us relatives, to continue telling the stories of the disappeared so that it doesn’t fade from memory. From this experience, I decided to reveal the story of Alipato at Muog,” he added.

JL revealed that he delayed completing the film, hoping for a happy ending with Jonas’ return.

“Before Jonas was abducted in 2007, I was already in the line of filmmaking, so when [he] disappeared (sic) it was really in our minds to capture videos as part of documenting the search process,” he shared.

“I already knew that I would be making a film on this. I set aside all of the materials I took within 17 years, hoping to complete my ideal film with a happy ending—finding Jonas. Unfortunately, no Jonas was appearing yet,” he added.

The film has not been without controversy. Initially rated “X” by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) for supposedly undermining public confidence in the government, the rating was revised to “R16” after appeals and public outcry.

“If the rating hadn’t been changed, the film wouldn’t have been shown at Cinemalaya or here in Iloilo,” JL said.

Burgos also shunned the criticisms by National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya back when the film was being introduced.

“They have to remember that enforced disappearances are continuing crimes. For as long as the victims remain missing, the crime still happens. Malaya’s statement is proof of dismissing the desaparecidos’ cases or even more than that, covering up the State’s responsibility over these abductions. So, the culture of impunity continues in the country,” he said.

Alipato at Muog will be screened at the St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary in Jaro, Iloilo City, on November 30, with showings at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.