Palparan maintains innocence in 2006 abduction of 2 UP studes

Former military general Jovito Palparan INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC

On his last court hearing, retired Major General Jovito Palparan stood pat and denied the kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges in connection with the 2006 abduction of two University of the Philippines (UP) students.

Palparan was indicted and ordered arrested for the disappearance of UP students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, who were seized by suspected military personnel allegedly upon Palparan’s order in Hagonoy town, Bulacan province.

“General Palparan testified through his judicial affidavit. He denied the charges. I conducted the cross exam,” Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera said in a text message after the hearing at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Malolos, Bulacan.

Navera said another witness, physical therapist Chernenko Galeng, testified on his treatment of Lieutenant Colonel Felipe Anotado, coaccused of Palparan in the abduction charges.

In his defense, Anotado said he was sick and could not have met Palparan at the time of the disappearance of the two UP students.

READ: Retired officer clears Palparan

Galeng said Anotado was his patient at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center in Quezon City during the alleged abduction.

“He (Galeng) was cross examined by Atty. Julian Oliva of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL),”  the prosecutor said.

Navera said the defense will formally offer their evidence in five days.

“After we file our comment to the offer, the prosecution and defense will file their respective memorandum,” Navera said.

“Today’s hearing is the last trial date. Thereafter, the case will be submitted for decision,” he added. /jpv

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