Malolos court junks Palparan bail plea

MANILA, Philippines - A Malolos court on Monday denied the motion for bail of retired Army Gen. Jovito Palparan.

Palparan was charged before the Malolos Regional Trial Court for the disappearance of two University of the Philippines students, Karen Empeño and Sheryln Cadapan, in 2006.

The court cited that the evidence against Palparan was strong.

Empeño and Cadapan were abducted by armed men from a farmhouse in Hagonoy, Bulacan.

"He exercises direct authority, full control and responsibility of command over all uniformed men and civilian personnel stationed at the 7th Infantry Division," the court said.

Last July, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the indictment of Palparan and eight others in connection with the abduction of two farmers in Bulacan in 2006.

The two farmers, Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo, were abducted in Bulacan for being suspected members of the New People's Army.