Army takes custody of Palparan’s 2 coaccused

CITY OF MALOLOS—Two coaccused of retired Major General Jovito Palparan Jr. have been transferred to the custody of the Philippine Army after they expressed fear for their safety at a Bulacan jail where suspected criminals and communist rebels are detained.

Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado and S/Sgt Edgardo Osorio, along with Palparan, are facing charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the 2006 disappearance of two University of the Philippines activists.

Anotado and Osorio surrendered to Army authorities in Camp Aguinaldo on December 20, but they were later brought to the Bulacan provincial jail. Palparan and another coaccused remain at large.

During the custody hearing in court on December 23, Anotado and Osorio’s lawyer, Alex Alberto Popanes, argued that placing his clients in a civilian jail with criminals and suspected New People’s Army rebels would endanger their lives.

Security

“Taking into consideration the security of the lives of the accused in a Bulacan provincial jail, which cannot be guaranteed by anyone, (my clients) request that the custody of the accused be given to the jail warden of the Philippine Army … located at Fort Bonifacio,” Popanes said.

Judge Teodora Gonzales granted the petition.

Court employees said Anotado and Osorio were transferred to Fort Bonifacio  on Friday. Carmela Reyes-Estrope, Inquirer Central Luzon