AFP vows to cooperate with authorities vs Palparan in kidnap of coeds

Manila, Philippines - The military vowed yesterday to cooperate with authorities that will probe the cases filed against retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan and six others who were accused of kidnapping two student activists in 2006.

Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs chief Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said they will make available all active personnel to be summoned by investigators.

“The AFP assures the complainants and the Department of Justice our full cooperation on this legal action. We will make available for preliminary investigation all the military personnel on active service named respondents to the case,” he said.

Burgos maintained that the AFP advocates respect for human rights and the rule of law. 

“We remain committed to the protection and respect for human rights to include any and all legal actions against AFP personnel. The rule of law will be adhered to in all these situations,” he said.

Burgos said they will not offer any legal assistance to Palparan since he is no longer in military service.

On Wednesday, the families of two missing University of the Philippines student activists accused Palparan and six others of arbitrary detention, serious physical injuries, maltreatment, grave threats, grave coercion, and rape.

The mothers of Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño said the respondents were allegedly behind the abduction of their daughters in Hagonoy, Bulacan on June 26, 2006. Cadapan and Empeño were believed to have been kidnapped by military men on suspicion that they are part of the communist rebellion.

Palparan, the former commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, have repeatedly belied the accusations. The AFP has also denied that it had a hand in the disappearance of the two activists.

Also named respondents were Lt. Col. Rogelio Boac, commander of the 56th Battalion; Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado, commander of the 25th Battalion; 2Lt. Francis Mirabelle Samson; Arnel Enriquez; M/Sgt. Donala Caiagas; M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario, and others still unidentified.

The complainants also accused the respondents of violating Republic Act 7438 or the law on the rights of detained persons, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Erlinda Cadapan and Concepcion Empeño, the complainants of the case, presented to the DOJ eight affidavits of witnesses who allegedly saw the kidnapping or were detained with the missing students in Hagonoy, Bulacan.

DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima has promised to prioritize the case of Cadapan and Empeño.