Makati Business Club Statement on the Abduction of Jun Lozada

We are outraged that Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada Jr., the emerging star witness in the ZTE scandal, was abducted by the police under the guise of securing him. We reject the explanation by the Chief of the Philippine National Police that it could not have been an abduction since the family had solicited their protection. Mr. Lozada himself and members of his family deny requesting protection.

We condemn the use of the state security apparatus to suppress the truth. During the period of his unwarranted custody, Mr. Lozada was made to sign affidavits that would compromise his intended testimony on the ZTE deal. Even if he was not threatened with physical harm, he was not free to do otherwise while under the control of unknown security personnel. He was made an offer he could not refuse.

We are deeply concerned about the continuing deterioration of the human rights record of this Administration. Mr. Lozada is fortunate that he is the focus of intense public attention, unlike many other unheralded victims of rights violations. So revealing what he knows to be true has set him free from fear.

The Administration believes that the cancellation of the ZTE contract has negated the need to investigate the deal further. They have tried to keep the truth hidden by denying the freedoms of key witnesses. Yet, we all have a stake in knowing the truth. We urge the public to be more vigilant, lest the freedoms denied those few witnesses to the truth are also removed from all of us.