Press release

Reacting to the statement of GPH chief peace negotiator Alexander A. Padilla that “every act of violence will affect peace talks” and so the NDFP must “lay down arms,“ Karapatan today called the government’s attention saying that it is its acts of violence through Oplan Bayanihan that terrorize and violate the human dignity of the population.

“We are becoming tired of this government’s empty promises, publicity stints and lies.  As the AFP heralds Oplan Bayanihan’s adherence to human rights, six barangay officials and two children from Bgy. Hinagunuyan , Catubig, Samar were declared as NPA surrenderees after they were abducted. The six, and the two children were taken, purportedly for questioning, by elements of the 34th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA) in Northern Samar,” declared Marie Hilao-Enriquez, chairperson of Karapatan.

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.

Karapatan welcomes the resolution of the Department of Justice (DOJ) finding probable cause on the cases filed against Ret. Maj. General Jovito Palparan, Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado, Master Sergeant Rizal Hilario and Staff Sergeant Edgardo Osorio with two counts of kidnapping and serious Illegal Detention for the abduction of two missing UP students, Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan in 2006. The DOJ released the resolution on December 15.

Seattle-based community group Philippine-U.S. Solidarity Organization (PUSO) commemorated International Human Rights Day by hosting renown Filipina activist Marie Hilao-Enriquez. 

“PRESIDENT NOYNOY AQUINO conveniently uses GMA as a shield by endlessly harping on her crimes and wrongdoings as a subterfuge to evade taking responsibility for human rights violations committed by his administration and its inability to solve any of the country’s basic problems. No amount of political manipulation or attempt to project himself as a protagonist in the quest for justice against GMA can dispel the truth that he continues Arroyo’s legacy of state terror through Oplan Bayanihan.”Jigs Clamor, Deputy Secretary General of Karapatan, made the statement as human rights and people’s organizations led by Karapatan and Bayan marched today from Blumentritt to Mendiola to commemorate International Human Rights Day.

“GMA has been a convenient smokescreen to blur the spotlight on P-Noy.  For instance, Malacañang benefits from all the fuss about Arroyo’s transfer to the presidential suite of the veteran’s hospital because it hides the fact that his government has been sorely remiss in promptly prosecuting and putting Arroyo to jail,” Clamor explained.