THE conviction of retired Army Major General Jovito Palparan brought relief and justice to the families of his alleged victims
Leaders of the militant groups in Negros namely Ma. Clarizza Dagatan, secretary-general of Karapatan-Negros; Christian Tuayon, secretary-general of the Regional National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW); Gi Estrada, media officer of the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura; and Michael dela Concepcion, secretary-general of Bayan–Negros, were grateful to the court’s guilty verdict against Palparan and his co-accused, Lieutenant Colonel Felipe Anotado, and Staff Sergeant Edgardo Osorio.
Judge Alexander Tamayo of the Malolos Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 in Bulacan found them guilty of kidnapping and serious illegal detention over the disappearance of University of the Philippines (UP) student-activists Karen Empeo and Sherlyn Cadapan in 2006.
Dagatan said that Cadapan’s mother, Erlinda, is from Valladolid, Negros Occidental.
They were grateful that finally, justice has been served to the families of the victim, she said.
“We are happy that Palparan was convicted by the court. This will give a warning to those who perpetrate human rights violations against the poor. Justice will truly run after those who are guilty,” Dagatan said.
Dela Concepcion said, “it is fitting that the court has convicted Palparan. But they can no longer bring back the lives of the two UP students. During the time of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, there were many victims of extrajudicial killings where we believed that the masterminds behind it were allegedly PGMA and Palparan. We were not surprised that he was ordered guilty of the offense.”
Tuayon said, “the decision of the court only showed that the government through the military was responsible in the killings of those individuals. This is the first proof that behind the killings and abuses was the military and the government.”
Estrada said, “it happened because of the sustained struggle and effort of everyone to seek justice. This is good news.” (CNC)