CA orders military to produce students

The Court of Appeals ordered Army officials yesterday to present before the court two University of the Philippines (UP) students allegedly abducted by military men in Bulacan.

Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza said the military should produce UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, as well as their companion Manuel Meriño at 10 a.m. today at the court’s Centennial Hearing Room.

The order was issued to Maj. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, Northern Luzon Command chief; Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, 7th Infantry Division commander; Lt. Col. Rogelio Boaca, Task Force Bulacan commander; and a certain Lieutenant Samson, commanding officer of the Hagonoy Army detachment.

Mendoza issued the order after the students’ relatives filed a petition for habeas corpus.The students were researching the plight of farmers in Hagonoy when they were allegedly abducted by military men last June 26. Relatives claimed they are currently detained by the Army. – Jose Rodel Clapano