Big blow

The conviction of ex-Army general Jovito Palparan and two others for the 2006 disappearance of University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan is a big blow against impunity in the Philippines.

This ruling came after a long and agonizing struggle for justice by the families and supporters of the two activists, who remain missing.

It rekindles hope among the families of many other victims of human rights violations, now and in the past. It should also serve as a reminder to state security forces that justice and the law will catch up with them sooner or later.

CARLOS H. CONDE, Researcher, Asia Division, Human Rights Watch, condec@hrw.org