#TalkThursday: A mother’s message to Palparan

MANILA, Philippines – Rappler talked to Linda Cadapan, the mother of missing UP student Sherlyn Cadapan.

In 2006, Sherlyn disappeared along with her fellow student Karen Empeno. Sherlyn, 29, and Karen, 22 were abducted from a farming community in Hagonoy, Bulacan. At least two witnesses have testified that the two were tortured upon the orders of retired Major General Jovito Palparan.

Palparan, infamously tagged as “berdugo (butcher)” by human rights activists, was arrested in Manila on August 12, 2014 – almost 3 years after an arrest warrant was issued against him in connection to the disappearance of the two women. (WATCH: Palparan: The man and the myth)

Earlier, the Aquino government offered a P2-million reward for the capture of the retired general – hailed by military peers for his relentless campaign against communism and assailed by human rights groups for allegedly killing innocent civilians in the process.

Palparan gained notoriety in his key assignments in Mindoro, Samar and Central Luzon, where he served as commanding general of the military’s 7th Infantry Division between 2005 and 2006, the height of the Arroyo administration’s massive counter-insurgency campaign that targetted the mass base of the New People’s Army.

Activist human rights group Karapatan welcomed what they called “the long overdue arrest” of Palparan. On August 18, Monday, Palparan was escorted and detained at the Bulacan Provincial Jail.

Cadapan, called for justice saying, “Alalahanin mo 8 taon ako naghihirap. Isang ina ng kalaban. Walang tigil na naghahanap ng katarungan naghahanap ng hustisya naghahanap sa aking anak. Kaya sana panagutin mo na ilitaw na ang aking anak at ang kanyang kaibigan.”

(Remember – I suffered 8 years. The mother of the enemy. I never stopped seeking for justice, while looking for my daughter. So take responsibility – show us where my daughter and her friend are.)

We’ll post the interview as soon as it’s ready. – Rappler.com