BuCor allows kin of abducted students to meet Jovito Palparan

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Thursday announced that it has allowed the families of abducted University of the Philippines (UP) students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan to meet with retired Army general Jovito Palparan.

This came after Erlinda Cadapan and Concepcion Empeño requested to be allowed to meet Palparan, following reports that he was transferred to Baguio City.

National Bilibid Prison (NBP) Superintendent Gary Garcia said that the request was acted upon on the same day that it was received.

“Sana noon pa nag-request na sila para hindi na nagkaroon ng kalituhan, dahil willing naman ang BuCor at transparent ang aming ahensya pagdating sa mga ganyang bagay,” Garcia said in a statement.

(I wish they had requested before so that there was no confusion, because BuCor is willing and our agency is transparent when it comes to these things.)

Earlier in June, the families asked the Supreme Court (SC) to compel BuCor to disclose Palparan’s whereabouts.

On the same day, BuCor assured that Palparan remains at the NBP.

Meanwhile, Garcia said Palparan is held at the Minimum Security Compound due to security concerns as inmates with varying political affiliations are housed in the Maximum Security Compound.

Following the families’ meeting with Palparan, BuCor said a team of special investigators from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) arrived at the NBP to conduct their own investigation into Palparan’s status.

“Guaranteeing the safety of our persons deprived of liberty is a priority – not only for Palparan but for everyone entrusted to our care,” BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said.

In 2006, Palparan was convicted by a Bulacan court for the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of Empeño and Cadapan.

In June 2022, the Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed his conviction. Palparan subsequently elevated the case to the SC. — JMA, GMA News