Anakbayan hails DOJ for indicting Palparan

MANILA, Philippines - Militant activist group Anakbayan yesterday hailed the Department of Justice (DOJ) for indicting retired general Jovito Palparan and three other soldiers over the abduction of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño.

“We join the rest of the nation in cautiously hoping that this means justice will be granted to our two fellow youth leaders, and that one of the worst human rights violators in history is one more step closer to being punished for his crimes against humanity,” said Vencer Crisostomo, national chairperson of Anakbayan, said in a statement.

A DOJ panel on Friday said there was probable cause to file two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention against Palparan, Army Staff Sergeant Edgardo Osorio, Lt. Col. Felife Anotado of the 25th Infantry Batallion and retired M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario of the 24th IB.

The militant group, however, said it was puzzled over the dropping of charges of torture, rape, serious physical injury, arbitrary detention and maltreatment of prisoners against Palparan and company.

 “We hope there is a good reason for it,” said Crisostomo.

He also urged the DOJ to immediately issue a hold departure order against Palparan and his fellow respondents to prevent him from leaving the country. He likewise challenged Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to file a case with the Sandiganbayan.

Anakbayan said the two UP students were seized on June 26, 2006 at the height of Palparan’s reign as commanding officer of the 7th Infantry Division. At least 43 other activists and supporters were kidnapped by military death squads, while 71 were killed, during that time, it said.

Anakbayan also called on Chief Justice Renato Corona not to block any DOJ move to bring Palparan to justice.

 “If Corona is sincere in his pronouncement versus dictatorships, then they will direct their energies to blocking anti-people laws, instead of allowing Palparan to do a GMA in escaping justice,” said Crisostomo.