Karapatan, a human rights group, has denounced the acquittal of retired Major General Jovito Palparan Jr. on charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with serious physical injuries. The case was filed against him by brothers Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo in 2006. The brothers said they were abducted from their home in San Ildefonso, Bulacan in 2006 by Palparan’s men and endured illegal detention, torture, and false accusations of being members of the New People’s Army. They managed to escape in August 2007.

During their detention, they claimed to have seen University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, who were also abducted in 2006 and are still missing.

Along with Palparan, Master Sergeant Rizal Hilario, and the Dela Cruz brothers, Michael, Marcelo, Jose, Maximo, and Roman, were also acquitted.

The Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 19 dismissed the Manalo brothers’ accounts, a decision affirmed by the Supreme Court, according to Karapatan.

The human rights group voiced its disgust with the court’s verdict in a statement issued on Friday, calling it an “unspeakable act” that undermined the tragic experiences of the Manalo brothers, including kidnapping, torture, and suffering.

“We are enraged at how this dishonorable court junked the truthful, credible, and consistent accounts of the Manalo brothers, which have been affirmed many times over by several courts including the Supreme Court, when they stood as key witnesses against Palparan et.al. in the abduction and disappearance of UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno,” the group said in a statement.

According to the group, the court “crassly disregarded” the Manalo brothers’ struggle and discredited their suffering at the hands of Palparan and his men. “This court’s unspeakable, dastardly act invalidated the abduction, enforced disappearance, torture, and sufferings endured by the Manalo brothers. Is this part of a grand scheme that will enable Palparan et.al.’s pardon in the near future?” the statement added.

“Clearly, the case of the Manalo brothers is a dire example of how lopsided the justice system is, making it extremely hard for brave ordinary folks like Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo, to pursue justice, and demand accountability from all perpetrators of enforced disappearances, torture, and all other human rights violations,” Karapatan stressed.

“We continue to support the Manalo brothers and all survivors of abduction and torture for standing strong against these challenges. We encourage the victims, their loved ones and the public to uphold and defend the rights of those who were wronged by the State and to stand resolute amid pervasive impunity and continuing rights violations, as we reaffirm our commitment to help in pursuing full accountability of all violators of human rights and international humanitarian law,” the statement added.

“Continuing impunity” – BAYAN

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) also condemns Palparan’s acquittal as “continuing impunity in the country.” In a statement, BAYAN said that the case is a reminder that state agents are directly involved in the abduction of activists and human rights defenders, despite Palparan’s imprisonment.

“Despite the incarceration of Palparan, police and military units continue to be involved in serious human rights violations, especially after the government of Rodrigo Duterte waged a brutal ‘war on drugs’ and all-out war against the communist movement,” BAYAN said.

“The acquittal of Palparan was announced in the wake of the intensified attacks on activists under the Ferdinand Marcos Jr presidency. This year alone, several activists have been abducted in Cebu, Bataan, Mindoro, Negros, Rizal, and Nueva Ecija. Palparan may be in jail but his enablers, patrons, and coddlers are still in power and have yet to be made accountable for their crimes against the people.” the statement added.

BAYAN also recalled how former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo praised the former military official as a ‘hero’ during her 2006 State of the Nation Address despite being implicated in grave human rights violations.

“The aim of fascists like Palparan is to silence dissent and spread fear. We will push back and resist the normalization of tyranny. We will continue to speak truth to power and fight for justice,” BAYAN stressed.

Palparan is currently serving a prison sentence after being found guilty of kidnapping and illegal detention in connection with the disappearance of two University of the Philippines students in 2006. He was sentenced to reclusion perpetua or thirty years imprisonment without eligibility for parole in 2022.

Photo: KODAO Productions