(Artists’ Gathering in Support for the Campaign to Surface the Lao RMAF Awardee Sombath Somphone, Jonas Burgos and All Other Desaparecidos)

The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), in partnership with the Free Jonas Burgos Movement (FJBM) presents: “SURFACE!” A gathering of artists to support the continued search for the “Lao” Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Sombath Somphone, for Jonas Burgos, and other victims of enforced disappearance, the event aims to bring to the general public's awareness, particularly, the artists and art lovers, the enforced disappearance of Sombath. With the upcoming commemoration of Jonas Burgos’ disappearance on April 28, the gathering intends to continuously remind the public of their disappearance as well as other cases not only in the country but in all Asia. It also aims to strengthen international solidarity against enforced disappearance particularly in the Asian region.

Sombath Somphone, 63, a community worker and green activist from Laos, is the 2005 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Community Leadership. He received the award in recognition of “his hopeful efforts to promote sustainable development in Laos by training and motivating its young people to become a generation of leaders.” Sombath was enforced disappeared on December 15, 2012. He was last seen in Vientiane, Laos, where a CCTV footage showed police stopping his jeep as he drove on the way home.  Two plainclothes men then hauled him onto another vehicle. It has been more than two years, and there has since been no information on his whereabouts. The Lao authorities continue to deny involvement despite international pressure.

In the Philippines, Jonas Burgos is one of the faces of enforced disappeared in the country. Son of the international press freedom hero, Jose Burgos, Jr., Jonas was disappeared because of his contribution to the struggle for social transformation. His disappearance has caught the attention of the international community. Abducted in broad daylight inside a mall full of people while having his lunch at the Hapag Kainan restaurant on April 28, 2007, Jonas has been disappeared for 8 years. He turned 45 last March 29.

The gathering SURFACE! is featuring artists:

1. Anak ni Aling Juana,

2. Bayang Barrios,

3. Bobby Balingit,

4. Cabring of Datu’s Tribe,

5. Karl Ramirez,

6. Ericson Acosta,

7. Heber Bartolome,

8. Tao Aves,

9. Concerned Artists of the Philippines,

10. Antoinette Jadaone,

11. Jess Bartolome,

12. Joel Saracho,

13. Mon Confiado,

14. and many more.

The event will be held on:

April 14, 2015, 7-11pm at Ta-As Café, 1 Masunurin St., Corner Anonas Extension, Sikatuna, Quezon City.

This event is also part of a series of activities of AFAD and the Free Jonas Burgos Movement to call the attention of the Philippine Government to fully implement the anti-enforced disappearance law and to sign and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.