MALOLOS CITY – Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno, the two missing University of the Philippines (UP) are still alive, Atty. Jesus Santos, one of the counsels of fugitive retire Major General Jovito Palparan told the court on Monday.
But prosecution lawyers said it might be another dilatory tactics of Palparan lawyers, adding it will send law enforcement agencies into a wild goose chase.
For Erlinda Cadapan, the mother one of the missing UP students who still hopes that her daughter is alive, challenged Santos and Palparan to just show the students.
Santos made the disclosure before counsels, family of victims and Judge Teodora Gonzales of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14.
In an interview after the hearing, Santos said he received “a very reliable information” through a phone call on Sunday night. However, he did not disclose the identity of the said source.
He said that as a lawyer, he believed that the information is true. However, he stressed that he still have to verify it.
“I believe it’s true, that’s why I informed the court, and I will also inform the law enforcement agency,” he said. But prosecution lawyers are not convinced with Santos information.
Atty. Edre Olalia said that if Santos’ information is true, he must show proof or just present Sherlyn and Karen in court.
Olalia added that Santos’ statement might be another dilatory tactics aimed at sending search teams of law enforcement agencies into a wild goose chase.
“If that is really true, then, Palparan and his men might be really guilty,” Olalia said.
When asked to comment on Olalia’s statements, Santos said in an interview that if Sherlyn and Karen are still alive, it will only mean that there is no case against Palparan and other accused.
But Olalia explained that whether the victim of kidnapping is dead or alive, the case will continue especially in the case of the two female students.
He said when the victim is held more than three days and if the victim is a female, it is still a kidnapping case.
“In this case, we have a kidnapping with serious illegal detention because the victims are female and are missing for about six years now,” Olalia said.
Erlinda Cadapan, the mother of Sherlyn said that Santos’s disclosure is insensitive.
“Sabi ko sa kanya nung nagkamay kami sa court, matanda na siya at huwag na siyang magsinungaling,” Mrs. Cadapan said.
She also said that while she still hopes that her daughter Sherlyn is still alive, she doesn’t necessarily believe in what Santos said in court noting that it might be a false hope.
With regards to bounty offered by the government against Palparan, Cadapan said it is not enough, but said, “dapat shoot-to-kill na lang.”
“Pinalalabas ni Atty. Santos na bayani si Palparan, pero bakit hindi nila mapasuko para patunayan ang kagitingan niya,” Cadapan said.
Palparan along with Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado, M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario and M/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio are facing kidnapping with serious illegal detention charges before the RTC branch 14 here.
Anotado and Osorio presented themselves to court last December but Palparan and Hilario remain at large.
Sources said that he is hiding in San Miguel, Bulacan, but others said he is in Aurora province.
