FLYING EMBERS AND A FORTRESS

PRESENTED BY TANOD LUPA & ICHRP-WA

Farmer-activist Jonas Burgos, son of the late press freedom icon and anti-Marcos publisher Jose Burgos Jr., had just finished a training program on organic farming for members of the Philippine peasant organization Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), when he was abducted on April 28, 2007. The abduction was brazen—carried out at noon in a crowded mall. As his family launched their search, a car plate brought them face-to-face with powerful forces. Thus began their fight for justice.

Despite insurmountable barriers, anonymous informants have provided leads and even the last known photo of Jonas in captivity. At the forefront of this battle is Edita, his 80-year-old mother, and her other son, filmmaker JL Burgos.

Presented through testimonials from their lawyer, a reporter, a former Justice Secretary and Human Rights Commission Chair, and witnesses who agreed to appear on condition of anonymity, combined with animation and never-before-seen footage of the family’s relentless search, JL pieces the stories together to uncover the painful truths about his brother’s disappearance.

This 2024 documentary is a timely examination of the rights abuses that activists and organizers continue to face today in the Philippines under the Marcos Jr. administration, especially as KMP still carries out a national day of action in the Philippines for landless farmers annually on October 21st. Join Tanod Lupa at the Beacon for these screenings and discussion on how this relates to our current community, as we carry out demands of Justice for the Negros 19 massacre and justice for the rights and welfare of peasant farmers throughout the Philippines.

Tanod Lupa (Tagalog for “Earth Guardian”) is an organization based in South Seattle building solidarity with land defenders as they struggle against environmental destruction and degradation. TL is a member of the Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle (FFPS) network and the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP).