2 soldiers in kidnap of UP students arraigned in Bulacan

Two soldiers facing kidnapping charges for the 2006 disappearance of two University of the Philippines (UP) students pleaded innocent during their arraignment here on Monday.

Army Lieutenant Colonel Felipe Anotado and Staff Sergeant Edgardo Osorio were arraigned before Bulacan Regional Trial Court Judge Teodora Gonzales, ahead of their coaccused, retired Major General Jovito Palparan and Master Sergeant Rizal Hilario, both of whom have yet to be arrested.

In December last year, Palparan and the three soldiers were charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention for the disappearance of UP students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan.

Palparan said he would face the charges but tried to flee the country. He tried to leave for Singapore on December 19 last year, but immigration officers at Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark Freeport in Pampanga, stopped him from boarding his plane.

Palparan has since gone into hiding.

Anotado and Osorio, who are detained at Fort Bonifacio under military custody, surrendered to authorities after Gonzales issued arrest warrants against them on December 19.

Osorio, upon the instruction of his lawyer, Jose Cruz, did not enter a plea, prompting the court to automatically enter a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Before the arraignment, Gonzales addressed a petition filed by Palparan’s lawyers, Narzal Mallares and Jesus Santos, which sought to defer the proceedings.

The lawyers said they needed more time to study the charges.

But Gonzales dismissed the petition and said she did not want to delay the proceedings.

She also chastised the lawyers, reminding them that their client, Palparan, has yet to submit himself to the court.

The presence of Mallares and Santos at the arraignment was criticized by lawyers Edre Olalia, secretary general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers, and Julian Oliva, who represent the families of the missing students.

“Palparan’s lawyers do not have the personality to appear in court because their client has yet to surrender,” Oliva said.

Gonzales scheduled a pretrial conference for May 7.