Palparan denies charges at last hearing in Cadapan-Empeño case

Retired Major General Jovito Palparan has again denied the charges against him over the disappearance of two student activists more than a decade ago.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor John Paul Navera told GMA News Online that Palparan testified through a judicial affidavit on the last hearing for the case in a Malolos regional trial court on Thursday morning.

Navera said he cross-examined the retired Army official.

"General Palparan denied the charges and his positive identification by the prosecution witnesses," said Navera when asked for an update after the hearing in the Malolos Regional Trial Court.

Palparan was indicted for kidnapping and serious illegal detention over the disappearance of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in 2006.

Chernenko Galing, a physical therapist at V. Luna Hospital, also testified through a judicial affidavit and was cross-examined by lawyer Julian Oliva of the National Union of People's Lawyers, the private prosecutor, said Navera.

The physical therapist, said the prosecutor, testified that [Lieutenant] Colonel [Felipe] Anotado [Jr.] "was in hospital for treatment."

Anotado is one of Palparan's co-accused in the case.

The defense panel will now have to formally offer evidence, said Navera.

After both the prosecution and defense submit their respective memorandum, the case will be submitted for decision, he added. — BM, GMA News