Noy dared to convict Palparan before term ends

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Human rights group Karapatan yesterday dared President Aquino to convict detained former Army general Jovito Palparan before stepping down from office.

Palparan was arrested last year for the kidnapping and illegal detention of University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan.

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay urged the Department of Justice to pursue a case filed against Palparan with the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with similar charges filed by Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo. 

The ombudsman recently found probable cause in the Manalo brothers’ charges against the general.

The Manalos were reportedly snatched, tortured and detained by Palparan’s men from 2006 to 2007. They were able to escape in 2007.

They said they met Cadapan and Empeño during their captivity.

Palabay decried what she described as the promotion by the Aquino administration of Army generals who were allegedly trained by Palparan.