Today marks the first hearing at the Malolos City Regional Trial Court on the cases of kidnapping and serious illegal detention filed by the mothers of missing University of the Philippines activists Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno against "The Butcher" Ret. Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr., M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario, Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado, and S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio. 
 

Karapatan calls on the government teams tasked to find the fugitive Ret. Major General Palparan to search the military camps in the country. “In a sudden twist of fate, he might be seeking refuge in the same camps where Karen, Sherlyn and other victims of enforced disappearances were held and tortured,” said Jigs Clamor, secretary general of Karapatan.  

We welcome the issuance of warrants of arrest for Ret. Major General Jovito Palparan, Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado, Master Sergeant Rizal Hilario, and Staff Sergeant Edgardo Osorio for charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention of our daughters, Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno.

“There is no other destination for Palparan but in jail. The government should use all the resources at their disposal to find, arrest and jail Palparan et al,” said Karapatan deputy secretary general, Jigs Clamor.