Palparan’s co-accused surrender

MANILA, Philippines – Two of the accused in the abductions of UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño have surrendered to the National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Retired Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado and SSgt. Edgardo Osorio were booked at the PNP CIDG headquarters at Camp Crame past 5 p.m. Both are accused of two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention. (Footage below was taken while both of the accused were about to enter the CIDG headquarters.)

Retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan and MSgt. Rizal Hilario are still being tracked by at least six units of the CIDG and several teams of the National Bureau of Investigatiob. Deputy Director General Benito Estipona of the CIDG, one of the heads of the joint apprehending team, said they will continue looking for the accused.

Palparan is not at his Taguig home, according to Estipona. “They’re all in the field checking on all possible whereabouts of the subject.”

Anotado was commander of the Army’s 24th infantry battalion when witness Raymond Manalo claimed he was held at an AFP camp in Limay, Bataan. Manalo said Anotado conversed with the two UP students for an hour.

The Department of Justice in its decision to file probable cause said that although his presence during the abduction was not clearly shown, “his knowledge of their continued illegal detention and acquienscence thereto is established.”

Osorio, a recent addition to the Cadapan-Empeño charge sheet, was identified by witness Wilfredo Ramos Jr. of being part of the team that kidnapped Cadapan and Empeño from Hagonoy, Bulacan in 2006. Ramos spotted Osorio at a July 19 preliminary investigation at the DOJ, while Osorio was acting as bodyguard for Palparan.

Osorio’s alibi, according to the DOJ, “cannot prevail over the positive identification of witness Wilfredo.” Palparan denied having met Osorio before the 19th.

Police Senior Supt. Frank Penaflor said the decision as to where the two will be transferred will depend on the DOJ.
The ideal situation is for all to surrender, he added.

Palparan, who earlier Tuesday said he has considered hiding as an option, can no longer be reached for comment. – Rappler.com

Video Courtesy of Kiri Dalena