2 missing UP students' moms hit delay in trial

MANILA, Philippines - The parents of two missing University of the Philippines students on Tuesday complained against the continued delay in the hearing of their daughters' case at a local court in Bulacan province.

Linda Cadapan, mother of missing UP student Sherlyn Cadapan, lashed at the lawyers and their clients for delaying the court proceedings at the Malolos Regional Trial Court for the 5th straight time.

"Nagpapakahirap kaming makapunta sa korte tuwing hearing tapos lolokohin lang kami ng mga militar na ito," the Cadapan matriarch said after the hearing of the case.

The defense panel failed to present its witness for the 5th time during Monday's hearing.

The hearing did not push through because lawyer Jose Cruz, who represents accused Master Sergeant Edagrdo Osorio, did not show up "because of an emergency matter in the family."

The legal counsel of Col. Felipe Anotado, lawyer Abner Torres, meanwhile, told the court that their witnesses could not be presented because the "military units where the witnesses belong to will not shoulder the transportation expenses.

Torres told the court that the witnesses are already deployed in Jolo and Isabela provinces.

"Hindi nila pwedeng idahilang walang pamasahe kasi maraming rekurso ang militar. Nasa kanila ang mga helicopters, tangke, at maraming sasakyan sa dami ng budget nila. Obligasyon nila na ipresent ang witness nila nang walang delay," Cadapan said.

"Palibhasa wala silang maipakitang witness," she added.

Connie, the mother of the other missing UP student Karen Empeño, also aired frustrations over the delay of the hearings.

The other accused in the disappearance case of Sherlyn and Karen, were retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, Sgt. Rizal Hilario, Master Sgt. Edgardo Osorio, and Col. Felipe Anotado.

The two UP students went missing in Bulacan on June 26, 2006.