Palparan refuses to enter plea in second kidnap rap

CITY OF MALOLOS—Retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan refused to enter a plea in a second kidnapping and serious illegal detention charge filed against him during his arraignment on Tuesday, prompting the court to issue a “not guilty” plea on his behalf.

The second lawsuit was filed by two Bulacan farmers, who testified against Palparan in the trial for the 2006 abduction of missing University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño.

Brothers Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo have accused Palparan, fugitive M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario and five militiamen of abducting them in San Ildefonso town on Feb. 14, 2006.

Cadapan and Empeño were abducted in Hagonoy town on June 26, 2006.

PALPARAN

In the first kidnapping trial, the Manalo brothers testified to have seen Cadapan and Empeño undergo torture while being kept in safehouses and military camps under the command of Palparan.

Judge Francisco Felizmenio of the Bulacan Regional Trial Court Branch 19 has issued warrants of arrest against Hilario and five militiamen.

Hilario was also charged with the kidnapping of Cadapan and Empeño, along with Palparan, Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado and S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio.

Palparan had been attending trial for the Cadapan and Empeño kidnapping since his arrest in August 2014. He became a fugitive after the kidnapping charges were filed in 2011. Carmela Reyes-Estrope, Inquirer Central Luzon