MANILA — The Malolos City Regional Trial Court (RTC) turned down the last ditch motion filed by retired Army Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. to stop his transfer to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa from the military detention facility in Camp Aguinaldo, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the court cited Supreme Court-Office of the Court Administrator Circular No.163-2013 which directs all trial court judges to cause the immediate transfer of convicted persons to the NBP, regardless of the pendency of a motion for reconsideration or an appeal.
“I have personally discussed the matter with AFP chief (Carlito) Galvez (Jr.) who has assured me that the AFP custodial center will immediately comply, without prejudice to the resolution of any further judicial review,” he said.
Last Sept. 17, the Malolos RTC Branch 15 found Palparan, retired Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado Jr. and S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio guilty of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the abduction and disappearance of University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan.
Aside from being sentenced to reclusion perpetua or at least 40 years imprisonment, the court also directed Palparan, Anotado and Osorio to pay the families of Empeño and Cadapan the amount of PHP100,000 as civil indemnity and PHP200, 000 as moral damages for each case. (Benjamin Pulta/PNA)
