Palparan asks DOJ to drop charges

MANILA, Philippines -  Retired Army major general Jovito Palparan formally denied before the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday criminal charges filed against him for the alleged enforced disappearance of two University of the Philippines student – activists five years ago.

In a nine-page counter-affidavit, Palparan claimed he did not have a hand in the alleged abduction and torture of Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño and asked the investigating panel to dismiss charges of arbitrary detention, serious physical injuries, maltreatment of prisoners, grave threats, grave coercion and rape filed by mothers of the two missing activists.

“There is nothing in the complaint that substantiates my alleged direct participation and other involvement. I strongly deny all of them to be shotgun and exaggerated accusations without factual bases,” he argued.

He contested the testimony of witness Raymond Manalo, another militant allegedly abducted by the military, who identified him as one of the persons present during a meeting with Cadapan and Empeño in a camp.

“He has never seen me in person before such meeting therefore he had no idea of how I exactly looked like,” Palparan stressed.

The retired general believes the charges are “mere rhetoric designed and good only for a fishing expedition.”

He questioned the “lack of concrete and solid evidence including medico–legal reports on the alleged rape, medical certificates on serious physicial injuries and maltreatment of prisoners and police report on arbitrary detention grave threats and grave coercion.”

“I do not have any participation in the alleged forcible taking of Sherlyn and Karen on June 26, 2006 at about (2 a.m.) as alleged in the complaint. I did not order, acquiesce to, or participate in its planning,” he added.

Palparan also denied covering up the alleged abduction.

Assisted by lawyer Narzal Mallares, the controversial general dubbed by militant groups as berdugo (butcher) subscribed his counter-affidavit before the DOJ panel chaired by Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera.

During the proceeding, complainant Erlinda Cadapan shouted “Sinungaling ka (You’re a liar!)” at Palparan.

This prompted Navera to remind Edre Olalia, lawyer for the complainants, of proper decorum during proceedings. The lawyer apologized to the panel.

During the hearing, members of human rights group Karapatan picketed the DOJ to show support for the mothers of the missing activists.