Complainants vs Palparan see new hope in Ombudsman

Farmer Raymond Manalo and former security guard Oscar Leuterio on Friday asked newly-appointed Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to resolve the criminal cases they had filed against members of the military—led by retired general Jovito Palparan—whom they had tagged in their abduction and torture.

Hoping for quicker action now that a new leadership is at the helm at the Office of the Ombudsman, Manalo and Leuterio personally filed their pleadings, accompanied by their counsels from the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL).

Their criminal complaint had languished at the Ombudsman for years.

NUPL chair Edre Olalia said Leuterio filed his complaint against the military officials in November 2006, while Manalo filed his in September 2008.

Some of the military respondents had responded to the charges, while others, including Palparan, had not, Olalia said. But they had been given ample time to respond, and for this reason the cases should be resolved soon, he added.

Waiver

In his motion, Manalo said the failure of several officials to file counteraffidavits to his complaint should be considered a waiver to submit any controverting evidence.

He also noted that the parties in his case were given 10 days to submit position papers last October. The period had since expired, and his case should now be decided, he said.

He also noted that the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court had ruled on the veracity of his narration of his ordeal under the hands of the military.

Manalo earlier testified that when he and his brother Reynaldo were captured by the military, he was able to meet University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno who were also being held prisoners.

Manalo was able to relate his story after he and his brother escaped from their abductors.

The two students have yet to surface, despite a court order directing the military to release them. The Armed Forces had denied having them in custody.

No backing out

In a separate statement, Manalo said he had no intention of backing out of “this fight.”

“However long this takes, we will never give up. What is important is we get justice for what was done to us,” he said.

Aside from Palparan, Manalo filed a criminal action against former Armed Forces chief Hermongenes Ebdane; retired general Juanito Gomez; Rizal Hilario; Donald Caigas; Michael Dela Cruz; Jose Dela Cruz; Marcelo Dela Cruz; Madimo Dela Cruz; Romand Dela Cruz; Randy Mendoza; Rudy Mendoza; Pablo Cunanan; Bernardo Lingasa; Rolando Sabado; Marty Adriano; Severino Macapagal; Sanito Parungao; and Amang Ramirez.

Leuterio, for his part, filed a complaint against Palparan; Gomez; Leiutenant Colonel Manuel Clemet; 2nd Leiutenant Ferdinand Basas; Alvin Pastrana; and Marlon Galopa.