Court issues hold departure order against Palparan

MANILA, Philippines—The Regional Trial Court in Malolos, Bulacan, has issued a hold-departure order against retired Major General Jovito Palparan, who has reportedly gone into hiding after he was ordered arrested in connection with the disappearance of two University of the Philippines students.

A senior official of the Department of Justice on Wednesday said Malolos RTC Branch 14 Judge Teodora Gonzales issued the hold-departure order to prevent Palparan from leaving the country.

Palparan and three former subordinates face charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the abduction of UP student-activists Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan.