Ombudsman indicts Palparan, 8 others over farmers' abduction

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman ordered the indictment of former Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan and eight others in connection with the abduction of two farmers in Bulacan in 2006. 

 

Aside from Palparan, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the filing of two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges against Master Sgt. Rizal Hilario, government militiamen Michael Dela Cruz, Marcelo Dela Cruz, Jose Dela Cruz, Maximo Dela Cruz, Randy Mendoza, Roman Dela Cruz and Rudy Mendoza.

 

The accused were also found liable for grave misconduct, along with Master Sgt. Donald Caigas. 

 

Based on his affidavit-complaint, Raymond Manalo and his brother Reynaldo were forcibly abducted on Feb. 14, 2006 in San Ildefonso, Bulacan for being suspected as members of the New People’s Army.

 

They had since been detained and tortured until their eventual escape on Aug. 13, 2007.

 

The 28-page joint resolution also directed the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices to conduct a fact-finding investigation on the other military personnel and victims mentioned in the affidavits.

 

The Ombudman, however, dismissed the the administrative charges against Lt.Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Maj. Gen. Juanito Gomez and Palparan in view of their retirement from government service before the case was filed.  

 

The criminal charges against Caigas and Gomez were dismissed in view of their deaths, while the similar raps against Esperon were dismissed for lack of evidence.

 

Palparan is also charged before a Malolos court for the disappearance of two University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sheryln Cadapan in 2006.