Mothers of missing UP students: “We want Palparan behind bars”

“We know this is just the beginning of the path towards justice. We would like to see Palparan behind bars.”

Thus expressed victims of human rights violations and their families as they troop to the Department of Justice today, on the first hearing of the criminal case filed against Ret. Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. and other AFP officers involved in the disappearance of UP students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan.

“We strongly support the mothers of Karen and Sherlyn, and all the witnesses who have mustered all the courage to face the courts again to recount their ordeal,” said Cristina Guevarra, Hustisya secretary general, “It is time that perpetrators who have threatened and ruined so many lives feel what it is to be prosecuted and punished for their crimes.”

On May 4, 2011, Erlinda T. Cadapan and Concepcion E. Empeño, mothers of missing UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, filed criminal cases of rape, serious physical injuries, arbitrary detention and maltreatment of prisoners against Palparan and other elements of the AFP namely, Lt. Cols. Rogelio Boac and Felipe Anotado, 2nd Lt. Francis Mirabelle Samson, Master Sgts. Donald Caigas and Rizal Hilario. This will be the first hearing of the DOJ’s preliminary investigation on the case.

Raymond Manalo, one of the key witnesses who was also abducted and disappeared by military elements and who swore to have seen, talked and been with Karen and Sherlyn at one point of their incommunicado existence, said he survived holding on to the strong evidence against Palparan, as well as his strong desire for justice for all the victims of the military’s bloody and cruel campaign.

“Kung tutuusin, kulang pa ang buhay niya sa lahat ng buhay na nawala. Kulang pa nga na makulong siya. Pero kapag nakulong si Palparan, kahit paano’y makakatikim ng hustisya sina Karen, Sherlyn, Tatay Manuel Merino at lahat ng mga biktima, (His life will never be enough for the lives lost. Jailing him is not enough. If he is imprisoned, however, Karen, Sherlyn, Tatay Manuel Merino and all victims will be given a taste of justice),” Manalo said.

In Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s counter-insurgency campaign Oplan Bantay Laya, Palparan was assigned in regions where cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances peaked during his command.

Hustisya is the national organization of victims and families of victims of state-sponsored human rights violations. Majority of them were victims of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s watch. ###