After the prosecution presented several eyewitnesses in the abduction of Karen and Sherlyn, the defense was given several opportunities to present their own witnesses. Not one has been presented since.
“Seven years quickly passed by but the progress of our case has been painstakingly slow.” – Mrs. Concepcion Empeño, mother of Karen
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MALOLOS, Bulacan – For the third time, a key witness to the torture of University of the Philippines (UP) students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, faced two of the accused and answered all the questions hurled at him by the defense. Raymond Manalo once again took the witness stand in…
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – The parents of the two missing students of the University of the Philippines (UP) are enraged over retired Gen. Jovito Palparan’s recent legal move. Palparan and co-accused M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario recently filed a petition before the Court of Appeals seeking to stop the court proceedings in the Bulacan…
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MALOLOS, Bulacan – The lawyers of soldiers tagged in the abduction of University of the Philippines (UP) students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan cross examined one of the vital witnesses in a hearing, October 29. Jose M. Cruz, lawyer of Staff Sgt. Edgar Osorio, and Abner M. Torres, lawyer of…
By RONALYN V. OLEA
As the Aquino government continues to fail to arrest retired general Jovito Palparan, another victim of state-enforced abduction and torture has positively identified some of the soldiers who tortured Karen and Sherlyn.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The silence of the Aquino administration is deafening. We believe that influential individuals in government and in the military are coddling Palparan.” – Karapatan
Run ‘hounds’ Palparan (Photo by Fred Dabu / Bulatlat.com)
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan served former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo well as chief implementer of Oplan Bantay Laya, and the Cojuangcos as ‘protector’ of their landholdings. Is it any wonder why, despite being subject to manhunt, he is still at large?
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Fugitive retired Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. continues to evade public hearing on one of his crimes, even as he seeks sympathy by speaking via his topnotch lawyer.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“If the Ombudsman would not fear the military, I would get justice not only for myself but for the other victims of Palparan and his kind.” – Raymond Manalo, torture victim