Military slammed for coddling retired general
Manila: families and human rights advocates have denounced the military for “coddling” a retired general, called “The Butcher,” who was jailed for life for the kidnapping and disappearance of two coed soft he state-owned university of the Philippines (UP) 12 years ago.
The object of the denunciation was retired Philippine Army major general Jovito Palparan who remained in millitary custody two weeks after he was convicted by a regional court in Bulacan province in Central Luzon on Sept. 17 for kidnapping and serious illegal detention of the two coeds.
Concepcion Empeno, the mother of one of the coeds, Karen Empeno, said the military showed it “was above the law” for refusing to transfer Palparan to the national penitentiary in suburban Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila.
“They seem to show they wield power over civilians and the people, their same mindset when they took away our two daughters and all the other disappeared persons and killed many activists and ordinary people. This should stop,” Empeno said.
Human rights advocate “Hustisya” (Justice) issued a separate statement as it joined Empeno in denouncing the military thus: “Now, they are even proud of coddling a criminal and acting in contempt of court.” “The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” it added, “is making a mockery of of the cries of justice for the victims of Jovito Palparan who remains under the protection of their rank.” Lieutenant Colonel Louie Villanueva, the Army spokesman, however, denied they were coddling Palparan and two of his men also convicted by the court - Colonel Felipe Anotado and Staff Sergeant Edgardo Osorio.
Villanueva claimed there were two CONLICTING ORDERS FROM TWO BULACAN COURTS where Palparan and his men were facing separate criminal charges over the disappearance of the two coeds suspected as members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA).
Human rights groups derisively called Palparan “The Butcher” for the alleged killings and disappearances of activitists like students, lawyers, journalists and even members of the religious like priests, pastors and nuns in areas where he had been assigned.