MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 27, 2013) – A few days before the International Day of the Disappeared, rights group “Desaparecidos” demanded the Aquino government a report on the progress of the hunt on a former army general Jovito Palparan linked to the disappearance of political activists.
“Where is Jovito Palparan? We won’t accept – we don’t know – as an answer. The Aquino government should give us updates on his whereabouts, or have they laid their backs on even trying to look for him?” asked Concepcion Empeño, chairperson of Desaparecidos.
Palparan went into hiding after he, along with three other military officials, were charged with kidnapping with serious illegal detention in December 2011 on the disappearance of Empeño’s daughter, Karen, and Sherlyn Cadapan, abducted and disappeared on June 2006. A farmer, Manuel Merino, was also abducted in the same incident as accounted by witnesses.
“The Aquino government is beating around the bush. While we are tirelessly attending hearings and closely monitoring the case in court, we have not heard of any information whatsoever on where is Palparan now, or who’s coddling him. They bragged about posting bigger rewards for the fugitives.
After that, they fell dead silent. Are they still looking for him?” she asked.
According to Desaparecidos, there are at least 16 victims of enforced disappearances under the Aquino government, most of them are farmers and ordinary folk.
“We are glad that the public are at least knowledgeable about the cases of our missing daughters. What many people do not know is that enforced disappearances happen to this day. This is why we continue to call for justice. Sixteen is not just a number, they are fathers, mothers and children. As long as this crime of enforced disappearance continues, we should be vigilant and hold the current government accountable,” Empeño said.
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