Suspect in abduction of UP students denies charge

MANILA, Philippines—One of the alleged suspects in the 2006 abduction of two University of the Philippines (UP) students denied participation in their abduction, claiming that someone had used his name.

Arnel Enriquez submitted his affidavit before the Department of Justice (DoJ) investigating panel.

Counsel for the complainant Edre Olalia said during Wednesday’s preliminary investigation that someone posed as Arnel Enriquez to cover up the abduction.

Olalia said their witness identified the Arnel Enriquez involved in the abduction has a scar on his leg while the Arnel Enriquez who appeared before the DoJ has none.

Still, Olalia asked the DoJ prosecutors not to remove Enriquez’ name in the complaint but indicate it as an “alias.”

“Alberto Ramirez confirmed that when he came face to face with Arnel Enriquez during the second preliminary investigation of this case, said Arnel Enriquez was not the same person who introduced himself as “Arnel Enriquez and who interrogated him at the army detachment at Barangay Mercado, Hagonoy, Bulacan on the night of June 28, 2006,” Erlinda Cadapan and Concepcion Empeno, mothers of the abducted UP students, said in their affidavits.

Meanwhile, Senior State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera said in effect, Enriquez is already absolved from the complaint because of the witness’ statement that the Enriquez he saw was different from the person who appeared before the panel.

Aside from Enriquez, also slapped with a case 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 are retired General Jovito Palparan Jr., Lieutenant Colonels Rogelio Boac and Felipe Anotado, 2nd Lieutenant Francis Mirabelle Samson, Master Sergeants Donald Caigas and Rizal Hilario, and several John Does.

Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno were abducted in 2006 along with farmer Manuel Merino for being suspected as members of the New People’s Army (NPA). They were all missing up to this day.