MANILA, Philippines — Rights group Karapatan on Friday condemned the acquittal of retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan in cases of kidnapping and serious illegal detention causing serious bodily harm.

Brothers Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo filed a case against him in 2016.

Along with Palparan, Master Sergeant Rizal Hilario and brothers Michael, Marcelo, Jose, Maximo and Roman dela Cruz were also acquitted.

According to Karapatan, the Malolos Regional Court quashed the Manalo brothers’ accounts, which were upheld by the Supreme Court.

“We are outraged by the manner in which this dishonorable court has rejected the truthful, credible and consistent accounts of the Manalo brothers, which have been upheld many times by various courts, including the Supreme Court, when they appeared as key witnesses against Palparan et al. kidnapping and disappearance of UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno,” it said in a statement on Friday.

The group said the court “grossly ignored” the Manalo brothers’ struggle and invalidated their suffering.

“We are appalled at the way this court grossly ignored the history and legal battle that the Manalo brothers’ case has gone through for 16 years since he was kidnapped by Palparan’s men in 2007. The unspeakable, cowardly act of this court invalidated the kidnapping and enforced the disappearance. , torture and suffering suffered by the Manalo brothers,” the report said.

It also added that this case was an example of the “lopsided” justice system, which made the pursuit of justice and accountability difficult.

“It is clear that the case of the Manalo brothers is a stark example of how skewed the justice system is, making it extremely difficult for brave ordinary people like Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo to pursue justice and demand accountability from all perpetrators of forcible disappearances, torture and torture. and all other human rights violations,” Karapatan added.

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