On Friday, the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) and Director JL Burgos appealed to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to revoke the X rating given to the documentary film, Alipato at Muog.
The MTRCB has given the documentary film an X rating classification, deeming it as unfit for public viewing.
JL Burgos and his letter of appeal
After the success of the film’s screening, director JL Burgos said he was hopeful that the search for his brother, Jonas, would become easier. However, it was quickly dampened by the news that their film was given an X rating classification by MTRCB.
According to Burgos, on August 22, three members of the board disapproved the film for public exhibition. Reviewers reasoned that the film “tends to undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government and/or duly constituted authorities.”
The whole team of Alipato and Muog appealed to the board’s decision to immediately have it reviewed for the second time; adding their willingness to pay a huge amount just to have it reviewed.
“Alipato at Muog is (an) independently produced film with grants from the Cinemalaya Foundation and the Film Development Council of the Philippines. We will abide by the processes of such undertakings as we have done from the very first day of the search of my brother. We will also submit the documents of the Jonas Burgos case that they are asking from us,” JL Burgos wrote.
He continued to ask the board to stand for what is right and just, adding that creative freedom prevails in a democratic country. Despite the X rating, Burgos assured those who have been following their story that they will never go away.
“Kaya po may ganitong istorya ay dahil may ganitong mga pangyayari. Walang mali sa paglaban, may mali kaya may lumalaban,” Burgos ended.
Statement from CAP
In a statement by CAP, the board’s decision to pull it out from public viewing is a “blatant act of state censorship.” The documentary meticulously presented well-documented facts on the subject of harassment and the disappearance of dissenters like Jonas Burgos. They added that the information revealed has been substantiated through media coverage and court proceedings.
“Works like Alipato at Muog are indispensable for fostering informed public dialogue and must be made accessible to all. The MTRCB's X rating serves only to hinder essential discussions on critical human rights and societal concerns,” CAP’s statement read.
In the past, a few Cinemalaya films have also faced similar rating classifications for the same reason.
“Such a pattern reveals a persistent attempt to stifle films which critically examine authority,” their statement said.
The documentary film follows the abduction and disappearance of Jonas Burgos in 2007, in a crowded mall at noon. The film weaves together the painful truth behind the disappearance of Jonas Burgos. It follows the relentless search of Jonas' brother, JL Burgos, and his mother, Edita, and the testimonials from several figures throughout the years.
It premiered at this year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival and won the Special Jury Award for Full-length film.
