Palparan now in Bulacan for arraignment

Retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan. INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

CITY OF MALOLOS—A 12-vehicle convoy of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) took retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan to the NBI Bulacan provincial office at the capitol grounds about 7 a.m. Monday for his scheduled court appearance later in the morning.

About 70 policemen and security guards have been guarding the Bulacan Regional Trial Court (RTC) building to prepare for Palparan’s 10 a.m. arraignment at the sala of Judge Teodora Gonzales of the RTC Branch 14.

Palparan, who was arrested in Sta. Mesa, Manila last week, is accused of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the 2006 disappearance of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in Hagonoy town in Bulacan.

Palparan has been detained at the NBI headquarters in Manila since his arrest. Gonzales has ordered his detention at the Bulacan Provincial Jail here but his lawyers have asked the court to allow his continued detention at the NBI headquarters, citing security reasons.

At past 8 a.m., transactions at the NBI Bulacan office, where Palparan is temporarily held, had yet to start. About 200 people seeking to get NBI clearances, many of them started lining up at 3 a.m., have been advised to wait as the office will start transactions late.

Those in queue told the INQUIRER that they were told that they will be entertained at 11 a.m. However, NBI officials here have yet to confirm this information.

Sources from the local police said the adjustment in the NBI’s operating hours here was part of the security measures for Palparan’s court appearance.

The NBI provincial office is near the RTC building’s back entrance.