Mothers of 2 missing UP students still wait for justice

MANILA, Philippines - The mothers of two missing University of the Philippines students have yet to get justice as they decry the government's alleged inaction to arrest fugitive retired general Jovito Palparan, the suspected mastermind in the disappearance.

In an open letter to President Benigno Aquino III, Linda Cadapan, mother of Sheryl Cadapan, said she and Concepcion Empeno, mother of Karen Empeno, are still waiting for justice to be served to their families.

"Mahigit dalawang taon na mula nang ilabas ng korte ang warrant of arrest kay Palparan ngunit hindi pa rin nahuli o hinuhuli si Ret. Gen. Jovito Palparan. Ano ang kanilang nagawa? Kinakanlong si Palparan?" Cadapan said.

"Masakit sa aming puso na malaman na malaya pa rin ang mga nanakit at nagwala sa aming mga anak. Mas masakit pa na makita na wala man lang ginagawa ng pamahalaan hinggil dito," Empeno said for her part.

The two women said the case against Palparan is still pending before a Bulacan court, two years it issued an arrest order against the former military general.

Palparan, who still remains at large,  is facing kidnapping and serious illegal detention case for the  Karen and Sheryln.

"Lagi na lamang napopostpone ang pagdinig sa aming kaso dahil sa walang maipakitang ebidensiya ang mga akusadong militar. Sa pagpapatagal-tagal ng usad ng kaso sa korte ay baka magpatakas pa kina Lt. (Felipe) Anotado at Sgt. (Edgardo) Osorio," Empeno said.

Anotado and Osorio are among Palparan’s co-accused in the case.

Both are under military custody instead of being jailed in a civilian detention facility; while Master Sergeant Rizal Hilario, another co-accused in the case remains free like Palparan.

The elder Cadapan also appealed to the public to be on the look out for Palparan and help in his immediate arrest.

"Muli, ako ay nanawagan sa lahat na agarang tumulong sa pag-aresto o paghuli sa salarin na dumukot kina Sherlyn Cadapan, Karen Empeno, pumatay kay Manuel Merino at sa maraming mga aktibista at tagapagtanggol ng karapatan ng mamamayan," she said.