KIKO SLAMS MILITARY'S RESPONSE TO COURT ORDER ON MISSING UP STUDENTS; CALLS ON SC TO ORDER CAMP INSPECTION

Following the Court of Appeal's order directing the military to free missing University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, Senate Majority Leader and former UP Student Council Chair Kiko Pangilinan today slammed the military's response saying they could not locate the two in any of their military camps.

"The military's arrogant response to the CA's order to produce the missing UP students is unacceptable. They must move heaven and earth to find these students," Kiko said.

Kiko was among the former UP student leaders who condemned the abductions of Cadapan and Empeño through a statement signed in as early as 2006. The two students, along with their companion, farmer Manuel Merino, were reportedly forcibly taken by soldiers in Bulacan in June 26, 2006.

"We call on the Supreme Court to issue an order to open up all military camps for inspection. Since the military is suspect to this crime, we cannot simply take their word for it. Lest we prove that this is a state-sponsored terrorism, our authorities need to show full cooperation and transparency. We are all accountable as public servants, and not even the military is exempted from this," Kiko ended.