MALOLOS CITY ,Philippines – Retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. and co-accused M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario cannot seek relief from the court while they are at large, a lawyer said yesterday.
Quoting Judge Teodora Gonzales of the Bulacan Regional Trial Court Branch 14, lawyer Edre Olalia said Palparan and Hilario have not yet been placed under the jurisdiction of the court.
Meanwhile, lawyers of two missing University of the Philippines students have questioned the transfer of Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado and S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio from the Bulacan Provincial Jail to Fort Bonifacio two days before Christmas.
Anotado and Osorio, who surrendered to the Bulacan Criminal Investigation Detection Team, were charged along with Palparan and Hilario for kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
Olalia said the court set another hearing to hear supplemental pleadings on the transfer.
“It was done ex parte, we were not informed about the transfer,” he said.
In an interview, Erlinda Cadapan, the mother of Sherlyn Cadapan, said the court must withdraw its grant to Anotado and Osorio.
“They should be put in a regular detention facility without special treatment,” she said.
Concepcion Empeño, mother of Karen Empeño, said when they were looking for their daughters, they were not allowed access to Fort Bonifacio.
In defense of Anotado and Osorio, lawyer Narzal Mallari cited threats to the security of his clients.
“They asked to be transferred for fear of their lives,” he said.
His clients don’t feel safe at the Bulacan Provincial Jail, he added.
Palparan’s rights
Retired and active military and police generals are calling for the protection of Palparan’s rights.
Retired Army chief, Lt. Gen. Raul Urgello, Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO) chairman and president, on behalf of their members said Palparan does not deserve the treatment he is getting.
“We have little association before these things came out,” he said.
“I knew Palparan is a good officer and he is one of those who had a very effective counter-insurgency campaign when he was still in the active service.” – Dino Balabo, Jaime Laude, Ric Sapnu