Palparan faces alleged victims’ kin, answers charges at DoJ

Jovito Palparan. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines – Retired Major General Jovito Palparan arrived at the Department of Justice Friday morning to answer various criminal complaints filed against him by the families of missing student activists Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan.

The mothers of Empeño and Cadapan, along with their lawyers, also arrived for a preliminary investigation scheduled at 10 a.m.

Erlinda T. Cadapan and Concepcion E. Empeno filed against Palparan a complaint for rape, serious physical injuries, arbitrary detention, maltreatment of prisoners, grave threats, grave coercion and violation of Republic Act 7438 or the law which provides for the rights of detained persons.

Aside from Palparan, also facing criminal complaints are Lieutenant Colonels Rogelio Boac and Felipe Anotado, Second Lieutenant Francis Mirabelle Samson, Arnel Enriquez, Master Sergeants Donald Caigas and Rizal Hilario, and several John Does.