(Eagle News) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday, Sept. 17. said it respects the decision of a Bulacan court to convict retired Army Major General Jovito Palparan and his co-accused for the disappearance of two University of the Philippines students in 2006.
“As it has been and always will be, the position of the AFP is submission to the majesty of the courts and respect for the rule of law,” Col Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, said in a statement.
He added, however, that the AFP respects “whatever legal recourse are available to and will be availed of by MGen Palparan, Jr. et al. under the law and the Rules of Court.”
Apart from Palparan, Judge Alexander Tamayo of the Malolos Regional Trial Court also sentenced Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado, Jr. and Staff Sgt. Edgardo Osorio to reclusion perpetua for the disappearance of Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno.
They were also each ordered to pay P100,000 for civil indemnity and P200,000 for moral damages for each count.
Their co-accused, Rizal Hilario, remains at large.
