Families of abducted UP students seek disclosure of Palparan whereabouts

THE families of desaparecidos or enforced disappearance victims on Monday filed a manifestation and motion before the Supreme Court seeking the disclosure of the whereabouts of retired Army general Jovito S. Palparan amid reports that he had been transferred to the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City.

In the filing, the families of abducted University of the Philippines (UP) students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño raised concerns over information suggesting that Mr. Palparan, who was convicted of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, may no longer be detained at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

Mr. Palparan was convicted in 2018 of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the disappearance of Ms. Cadapan and Ms. Empeño in 2006. The two UP students were abducted while conducting field research on the situation of farmers in Bulacan.

The three were sentenced to reclusion perpetua, or 20 to 40 years of imprisonment.

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr. denied the reported transfer, saying Mr. Palparan remains confined at the NBP under standard custodial arrangements.

“Retired General Jovito S. Palparan remains confined at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City,” Mr. Catapang said in a statement.

He added that any inmate movement, particularly involving high-profile prisoners, follows strict protocols and requires complete documentation. No records exist indicating that Mr. Palparan has been transferred outside the national penitentiary, he said.

Mr. Catapang also assured the public that BuCor maintains transparency and accountability in managing persons deprived of liberty, stressing that Mr. Palparan continues to be securely detained at the NBP. Any changes in his detention status, he said, would be communicated through official channels.

The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, which represents the families, backed the Supreme Court filing, saying authorities must ensure full transparency in the enforcement of a final conviction and proper custodial procedures.

The Cadapan and Empeño families have repeatedly raised concerns over Mr. Palparan’s detention conditions, citing earlier reports of his placement in nonregular detention facilities. They argue that convicted perpetrators of grave human rights violations should not be granted special accommodations.

BuCor also released recent photographs of Mr. Palparan in its custody alongside its statement. The photographs were dated March 31, 2026. — Mark Joseph M. Sanchez