Court defers hearing on Palparan transfer

MANILA, Philippines - A local court in Bulacan province on Monday ordered the private lawyers of the families of missing UP students Karen Empeno and Sheryln Cadapan to get a permission from state prosecutors before it rules on their request to transfer retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan to a regular jail.

During the pretrial of Palparan's serious illegal detention and kidnapping case, Judge Teodora Gonzales of the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 14 directed the private prosecutors to secure a conforme from the state lawyers.
"When we filed the motion for a transfer of Palparan to a regular jail, the state prosecutors, who are taking lead in handling the case, noted it," said lawyer Edre Olalia, one of the private prosecutors in the case.

Olalia said that the state lawyers handling the case were still waiting for their lead prosecutor, who was out of the country when the motion was filed before the court.

The court also directed the defense panel to comment on the motion within 10 days.

At present, Palparan is detained at the Army custodial center in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The Court also advised the lawyers of two other co-accused in the case -- Col. Felipe Anotado and Sgt. Edgardo Osorio-- to rest their case.

The two military personnel, via their lawyers, filed a motion for reconsideration to present additional evidence and witnesses.

"For the longest time that they have not produce any witness for their defense, they are now asking the court to present their witnesses," Olalia said,

He also branded as dilatory tactic the filing of writ of certiorari by the defense before the Court of Appeals.

Outside the court building, several persons, mostly supporters and families of the victims of enforced disappearances, protested as Palparan, who wore a bulletproof vest and a Kevlar helmet, was being escorted by fully armed soldiers and policemen.

Palparan was handcuffed when escorted into the courtroom for the hearing.