DOJ questions transfer of Palparan’s co-accused in kidnap cases to military camp

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice (DOJ) questioned on Wednesday, the transfer to a military camp of two co-accused of retired Major General Jovito Palparan Jr. who have been charged with the kidnapping of two University of the Philippines students missing since 2006.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she already directed DOJ prosecutors handling the case to file the appropriate motion before the Malolos, Bulacan, regional trial court (RTC) opposing the transfer of detention of Lieutenant Colonel Felipe Anotado and S/Sgt Edgardo Osorio.

“They should be detained in a civilian facility such as, for example, the PNP (Philippine National Police) Custodial Center in Camp Crame or Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan (Taguig),” De Lima said in a text message.

Anotado and Osorio were taken to the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City from the Bulacan Provincial Jail on Friday after Malolos RTC Branch 14 Judge Teodora Gonzales granted their request.

Palparan, Anotado, Osorio and M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario were ordered arrested on December 19 in connection with the purported abduction of UP students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan in June 2006.

Anotado and Osorio yielded to authorities a day after Gonzales issued a warrant for their arrest while Palparan and Hilario had gone into hiding.

State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, who led the DOJ panel, which recommended the filing of criminal charges against Palparan et al., said he was surprised that Anotado and Osorio were brought to the Army headquarters without their knowledge.

According to Navera, the DOJ was not furnished of the copy of Gonzales’ supposed order which allowed the pair to be taken under military custody.

“We will inquire first why we have not received any notice and the order directing the transfer to the Army custody and why the Army itself did not inform the DOJ,” Navera said.

He said even the Armed Forces Provost Marshall “was looking for a copy” of Gonzales’ order.

“The accused have their own lawyers. The DOJ is hoping the Army is not lawyering for them,” he said, adding:

“We have to strike a balance between the need to avoid any special treatment for the accused with the issue of their personal security while in detention.”