CITY OF MALOLOS—The fate of retired Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. will bring some form of closure to the families of University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan when a Bulacan court rules next week on his alleged role in their 2006 disappearance.

Concepcion Empeño, mother of Karen, said her family was ready to hear the decision although they remained in the dark about the students’ condition and location.

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“We have mixed emotions — happy because finally the judge will decide on this case 12 years since our daughters’ disappearance and we trust that the judgment will be in our favor. But we are also fearful he (Palparan) may be acquitted,” she said.

“If the charges are dismissed, then that reveals a broken justice system because evidence is sufficient to convict him … If he is convicted, then he must suffer the consequences,” Empeño said.

Trusting justice system

But the possibility of Palparan’s acquittal will haunt them, she said.

“It tells us justice is only for the rich and influential. Our country today is in such a mess. Evil reigns and Palparan may even get a job in this government if he is freed,” Empeño said.

She said she hoped the ruling would restore people’s trust in the justice system and show that “the changes for which human rights defenders aspire can be achieved.”

Erlinda Cadapan, mother of Sherlyn, said all she wanted was for Palparan or any of his coaccused to reveal where her daughter had been all this time, after they were taken allegedly by soldiers in Hagonoy town on June 26, 2006.

“If the case is dismissed, God knows what to do with them (accused). He is the true judge,” she said.

Cadapan, who will turn 70 in December, had not been celebrating her birthday for the last 12 years since Sherlyn was abducted.

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Promulgation

Judge Alexander Tamayo of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) here has scheduled the promulgation of the kidnapping and illegal detention cases against Palparan, Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado and Staff Sgt. Edgardo Osorio on Sept. 17.

Another suspect, Master Sgt. Rizal Hilario, remains at large.

Palparan was commanding general of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija province when the alleged kidnapping happened.

During his stint, he mounted anti-insurgency operations throughout Central Luzon.

He became a fugitive when Judge Teodoro Gonzales issued a warrant for his arrest in December 2011. Palparan was arrested in Sta. Mesa, Manila, in August 2014.

Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan police director, said 100 policemen would secure the Bulacan RTC compound during the promulgation. —Carmela Reyes-Estrope

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