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Youth group calls for students' release

Youth movement seeks release of jailed students
Youth group calls for students' release
University students and human rights groups run against torture and for the release of two missing students on Sunday
Published: June 27, 2011 11:34 AM GMT
Updated: June 27, 2011 11:34 AM GMT

The country’s main student Christian movement today demanded the government comply with a Supreme Court ruling and immediately release two university students arrested by the military five years ago. The Philippine Supreme Court earlier this month ordered the immediate release of students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan, who went missing in the northern province of Bulacan. They were accused by the military of being communist rebels. Despite the court decision, families and friends of the two students are still awaiting their release. The military has denied the students are in their custody. Tin Valerio, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines chairperson, said their release is a challenge to the administration of President Benigno Aquino. "It is not enough for us to call ... for the freedom of these citizens. It is a challenge to the Aquino government to finally resolve these cases by filing charges [against] former president [Gloria Macapagal] Arroyo and previous [military] officials," Valerio said in a statement. Yesterday, university officials and human rights groups staged a "run for life" to mark the fifth anniversary of the disappearance of Empeno and Cadapan. University of the Philippines chancellor Caesar Saloma said the university will "extend all necessary legal facilities" to the families of its students. Alfredo Pascual, president of the University of the Philippines, on Saturday called on law enforcement agencies to expedite the resolution of the case. "Five years is too long for a case to remain unsolved in a democratic country," he said.

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