THE Supreme Court (SC) ordered retired Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan and several other military officers, to release the two students of the University of the Philippines (UP) who were allegedly abducted five years ago in Hagonoy, Bulacan while former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was absolved by her mortal nemesis then SC Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales who is now applying as Ombudsman.
In an en banc decision penned by Carpio-Morales, it enjoined Palparan, Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado, Lt. Francis Mirabelle Samson, Lt. Col. Rogelio Boac, Arnel Enriquez and M/Sgt. Donald Caigas to immediately release Sherlyn Cadapan, Karen Empeño and a certain Manuel Merino from detention.
Associate Justices Antonio T. Carpio, Antonio Eeduardo B. Nachura, Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr., Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro, Arturo D. Brion. Lucas P. Bersamin, Diosdado M. Peralta, Mariano C. Del Castillo, JosePortugal Perez Martin S. Villarama, Jr. and Ma. Lourdes P.A. Sereno both concurred with the ruling while Associate Justices Roberto A. Abad, Jose Catral Mendoza and Chief Justice Renato C. Corona took no part.
Jomar Canlas, The Manila Times
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