PNP to investigate Cadapan, Empeño case

With the reported appearance of missing University of the Philippines student Sherlyn Cadapan over a month ago, the Philippine National Police (PNP) wants to try investigating the case again to help solve it. PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) chief Director Geary Barias said Friday that since cases of forced disappearances are not within the mandate of Task Force USIG, which he heads, the PNP DIDM instead will investigate the alleged abduction of Cadapan, fellow UP student Karen Empeño, and peasant Manuel Merino. The three, according to human rights advocate group Karapatan, were snatched on June 26, 2006 in Hagonoy, Bulacan where the two students were immersed while doing volunteer and research works. Karapatan reported Friday that Cadapan showed up at her mother-in-law's house sometime late April or early May this year to get some personal belongings. She did not say, however, a word to her in-law, which, Karapatan viewed as an indication she was under duress because she was in the company of two females and four burly men, wearing civilian clothes. Told about the development, Barias said: "We will have that investigated by the Regional Investigation and Detective Management of Police Regional Office III. I will tell my men to get in touch with the family, particularly the mother-in-law." But Barias is appealing for the family's cooperation so their intention to help will yield positive results. Barias noted that the families of Cadapan and Empeño did not cooperate with the PNP at the time the abduction happened probably because of Karapatan's influence. Karapatan is known to be critical against the government and has been blaming government security forces in almost all cases of human rights violations. "We would like to appeal for their cooperation because at the time of the report of the abduction, when TF USIG coordinated with them, Karapatan came to the picture. And suddenly, they did not want to cooperate," Barias said. "So, we will try our best to convince them to cooperate," he went on. Karapatan spokesperson Ruth Cervantes said, however, that the family will not seek the help of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines because from the start, all they could do is really just to release the victims. - GMANews.TV