Rights group condemns Palparan’s acquittal in kidnapping case

By: Adrian Parungao - 1 year ago

MANILA, Philippines — Rights group Karapatan on Friday condemned the acquittal of retired Major General Jovito Palparan in the cases of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with serious physical injuries.

Brothers Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo filed the case against him in 2016.

Along with Palparan, Master Sergeant Rizal Hilario, and brothers Michael, Marcelo, Jose, Maximo, and Roman dela Cruz were also acquitted.

According to Karapatan, the Malolos Regional Trial Court junked the accounts of the Manalo brothers, which were affirmed by the Supreme Court.

“We are enraged at how this dishonorable court junked the truthful, credible, and consistent accounts of the Manalo brothers, which have been affirmed many times over by several courts including the Supreme Court, when they stood as key witnesses against Palparan et.al. in the abduction and disappearance of UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno,” it said in a statement Friday.

The group said that the court “crassly disregarded” the battle of the Manalo brothers and invalidated their sufferings.

“We are appalled at how this court crassly disregarded the history and legal battle that the case of the Manalo brothers have gone through for 16 years since he was abducted by Palparan’s men in 2007. This court’s unspeakable, dastardly act invalidated the abduction, enforced disappearance, torture, and sufferings endured by the Manalo brothers,” it said.

It likewise added that this case was an example of the “lopsided” justice system, which made the pursuit of justice and accountability hard.

“Clearly, the case of the Manalo brothers is a dire example of how lopsided the justice system is, making it extremely hard for brave ordinary folks like Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo, to pursue justice, and demand accountability from all perpetrators of enforced disappearances, torture, and all other human rights violations,” Karapatan added.

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