Cadapan also had joined protests against the rising fuel prices and human rights abuses under the Arroyo administration; her political views disappointed her mother[3] back then.

[5] According to the official investigation, eyewitness Raymond Manalo stated that General Jovito Palparan tortured Sherlyn by hitting her mouth and punching her breasts and stomach area until they bled.

Manalo also noted that he saw the military stealing from nearby villagers, burning dead bodies using gasoline, and shooting a man who was riding a carabao due to farm work.

The military then dragged Karen out from her cell, stripped her naked, tied her wrists and ankles, then beat her, subjected her to water torture, burned her with cigarettes, and raped her with pieces of wood.

[8] Upon newer allegations of torture toward disappeared activists in general, Cadapan and Empeño's respective mothers Erlinda and Concepcion filed alongside Jose de Venecia III and Harry Roque another impeachment complaint against president Arroyo on October 14, 2008.