Lawyer of Palparan co-accused in kidnap wants speedy trial

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – A counsel for the co-accused of retired Army major general Jovito Palparan yesterday expressed his desire for a speedy trial of the kidnapping case filed against his client.

Earlier, Judge Teodora Gonzales denied the petition for bail for Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado and Staff Sgt. Edgardo Osorio.

Lawyer Joey Cruz, counsel for Osorio, said that he would consult with the lawyers of Anotado to discuss their next move.

In an interview with Radyo Bulacan, Cruz said one of their possible options is to file a motion for reconsideration (MR) before the Supreme Court.

But he said that is only possible if the judge committed grave abuse of authority in denying bail for Anotado and Osorio. 

“We can file an MR, but it would only lengthen the process. I want the case to finish immediately so the truth would come out,” Cruz said in Filipino.

He said the longer the trial would take, the longer his client would stay at the Army Detention Center in Fort Bonifacio.

Cruz said the recent court decision did not include Palparan and M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario.

“They’re not covered by the court decision as they were both at large, and with standing warrants of arrest,” he said.

Cruz said the case against Palparan and Hilario could only proceed if they were arraigned earlier, or were arrested, or would surrender.

Anotado and Osorio, along with Palparan and Hilario, were accused of kidnapping Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, both students of the University of the Philippines (UP), and their companion, Manuel Merino, in Hagonoy town in June 2006.

As this developed, Lawyer Edre Olalia, counsel for the Cadapan and Empeño families hailed the court for denying bail for the two Palparan co-accused.

“That is certainly good news though not really unexpected given the strength of the evidence against all the accused, including Palparan,” Olalia said.

Tagged by militants as “Berdugo” (butcher), Palparan retired in September 2006. His last assignment was in Central Luzon where he served as commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division based in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.