Palparan still held at Fort Bonifacio

The Philippine Army is still awaiting a commitment order from the Malolos Regional Trial Court (RTC) to have retired Army major general Jovito Palparan Jr. transferred to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

“We are still waiting for a commitment order. Once it is furnished to us, he will be immediately shipped out here to the next place of his confinement,” Army spokesman Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva said yesterday.

Palparan was still detained at the Army custodial center at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City as of last night, more than a day after he and two co-accused soldiers – Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado and S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio – were found guilty of the kidnapping and serious illegal

detention of University of the Philippines student-activists Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan 12 years ago.

They were sentenced to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years in prison, and were ordered to indemnify the families of Cadapan and Empeño with P100,000 in civil damages and P200,000 in moral damages.

“As much as we want him already out of our watch, we cannot do so otherwise sans a written commitment from the Bulacan RTC,” Villanueva said.

‘Reckoning will come’

Palparan’s conviction is proof that the day of reckoning will come to human rights violators, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said yesterday, as it lauded the decision of a Malolos RTC to convict him over the disappearance of Empeño and Cadapan.

“(Palparan’s conviction) brings a flicker of hope amid the dark impunity that shrouds the country today. The court’s decision proves that the day of reckoning will come to those who trample upon human rights,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said.

“The road to justice for human rights victims may be long and difficult, but through the willpower of families, steadfastness of human rights warriors and the vigilance of the people, it can be achieved,” she added.

De Guia said the case against Palparan is just one of many human rights abuse cases that have yet to be resolved.

She urged the government to hold accountable the perpetrators and pursue justice for the victims.