Palace respects court’s guilty verdict vs. Palparan

FILE: Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announces during a press briefing in Malacañang on July 19, 2018 that the Landbank of the Philippines, the Department of Agrarian Reform, and the Department of Agriculture have launched the Accessible and Sustainable Lending Program for Small Farmers. The program aims to increase the income of small farmers, especially the Agrarian Reform beneficiaries, by providing them with financial assistance for their agricultural needs at a low interest rate of 6% per annum. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — Malacañang on Monday said it respects the court’s decision, which found retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan guilty of kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges.

“We respect the decision of the court,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace press briefing held in Benguet’s capitol building.

On Monday, the Malolos Regional Trial Court (RTC) found Palparan and two others guilty of kidnapping and illegal detention over the disappearance of University of the Philippines (UP) students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in 2006.

“(And) we would want justice to be done to the victims,” Roque, a former law professor at UP, said.

The court sentenced Palparan, as well as Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado Jr. and S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio to reclusion perpetua or 40 years imprisonment.

Each of the accused were also ordered to pay PHP300,000 in civil indemnities to the families of the victims.

An alias warrant has also been issued against another accused M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario, who remains at large.