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.
In his motion submitted before the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 14, lawyer Abner Torres, who is one of the lawyers of the accused military officials, said he is not fit to travel due to “loose vowel movement.”
“He was not sure of his answers. During cross-examination, he appears not to know the content of his affidavit, which, for me, is poorly written. His answers were not firm.” – Mrs. Connie Empeño, mother of Karen
“The military cannot say that they do not have the money to transport their witnesses. It has all the resources—helicopters, tanks and all kinds of vehicles—and a huge budget. It is their duty to bring their witnesses without delay.” – Mrs. Erlinda Cadapan, mother of Sherlyn
“For us families of the disappeared, unless and until Palparan is arrested and faces the court, President Aquino becomes part of the cover up to protect the Butcher. He thus, becomes part of the continuing crime of enforced disappearance and should be liable under the Anti-Enforced Disappearance Act.”
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“…the accused were afforded due process and were properly informed of the nature and cause of the accusations against them.” – Judge Teodora Gonzales
Public urged to help hunt down Palparan(Photos courtesy of Karapatan)
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“While we commend the courage of the mothers of Karen and Sherlyn, now human rights defenders themselves, in pursuing the criminal case, it is equally significant that the Aquino government must take concrete steps in making the roads to justice accessible for the victims and their families.” – Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law, and Development
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – The soldier who has been implicated by one of the witnesses in the abduction of University of the Philippines (UP) students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan and farmer Manuel Merino remains unidentified. During the fourth hearing on the preliminary investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) panel this…
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA — With the filing of charges against state security forces in relation to the enforced disappearances of University of the Philippines (UP) students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan and the update on the case of another missing activist Jonas Burgos, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and human rights groups…
When he retired and after his appointment to the National Security Council fell through because of widespread opposition, Palparan has evaded media attention – in contrast to his frequently hogging the headlines during his days in military service. He must have thought that by doing so, he could escape responsibility for the long lists of…