Days after seeking resolution on the charges filed before the Ombudsman against their captors, torture survivors Raymond Manalo and Oscar Leuterio belied once more the claims made by retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan and other AFP officials that they have nothing to do with the abduction and disappearance of the two UP students and a farmer in June 2006.
Days after seeking resolution on the charges filed before the Ombudsman against their captors, torture survivors Raymond Manalo and Oscar Leuterio belied once more the claims made by retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan and other AFP officials that they have nothing to do with the abduction and disappearance of the two UP students and a farmer in June 2006.
“Ilang beses nang napatunayan sa korte na totoo ang aming mga pahayag. Hindi na nila malaman paano maitatago ang katotohanan kaya puro na lang sila deny at pagsira sa kredibilidad namin,” said Manalo. (For a number of times, our statements have been proven true by the Courts. They could no longer hide the truth so they just deny it, and destroy our credibility).
At the third preliminary investigation of the Department of Justice today, mothers Erlinda Cadapan and Concepcion Empeño filed a joint reply to dispute the counter-affidavit of the respondents, namely: Palparan, Ret. Col. Rogelio Boac, Col. Felipe Anotado, Jr., 2Lt. Francis Mirabelle Samson, Arnel Enriquez, M/Sgt. Donald Caigas, and M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario.
Also filed today was an affidavit of Wilfredo Ramos who identified one of the “John Does” in the case as the man who attended the July 19 hearing at the DOJ. The said John Doe, according to Ramos, was the person who tied him up on the night that Cadapan and Empeno were abducted. The affidavit included a picture of the said John Do and requested that the said person be named.
Last May, charges of rape, serious physical injuries, arbitrary detention and maltreatment of prisoners were filed at the DOJ. Shortly after, the Supreme Court also issued a resolution ordering the AFP to surface Cadapan and Empeno and affirming that Palparan and other AFP officials were responsible for the abduction and disappearances of the two students.
Manalo also said the respondents should stop offending the missing and the relatives by discrediting them. It only shows their callousness on the issue of abduction and disappearance.
“Pakiusap lang, huwag na nilang sirain ang pangalan pati ng mga nawawalang sina Karen, Sherlyn at Tatay Manuel. Matagal na silang nagdusa sa kamay ng mga militar. Sabihin na lang nila ang totoo,” Manalo said. (Please, they should stop destroying the names of the disappeared Karen, Sherlyn and Tatay Manuel. They suffered long enough in the hands of the military. They should just tell the truth.)
Furthermore, the complainants also criticized the attempts made by Palparan to escape responsibility by saying that the 24th and 56th Infranty Batallions of the Philippine Army and Task Force Bulacan were not under his direct command, control and supervision. All of the respondents belong to either the 24th or the 56th IB, all under the 7th ID of the Philippine Army of which Palparan was the Commanding General.
The reply affidavit of the complainants stated his counter-affidavit is a “self-righteous indignation and refutation of charges.”