NUPL on the 1st Cadapan-Empeno Court Hearing
Press Statement
2 January 2012
As the court heard today the charges of Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention against Ret. Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan and three others involving the disappearance of UP students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) private prosecutors said:
“We welcome and agree the judge’s firm and clear ruling that fugitive Gen. Palparan cannot seek relief, if at all, unless he surrenders or is arrested. He cannot have his cake and eat it too while trifling with the judicial and legal process.
The mothers continue to protest the dubious and sleight of hand transfer of his co-accused to military custody based on the Army intelligence group’s invocation of an ancient and obscure 1937 executive order issued by President Manuel Quezon and Interior Secretary Elpidio Quirino. It is essentially thumbing the nose versus the basic sense of fairness and decency.” #
Reference (Panel of Private Prosecutors):
Atty. Edre U. Olalia, NUPL Secretary General, 09175113373
Atty. Ephraim B. Cortez, NUPL Assistant Secretary General for Legal Services
Atty. Julian F. Oliva
Atty. Jobert Pahilga
Atty. Cristina Yambot