Lawmakers: Palparan ruling a 'warning' vs HR violators
of Judge Tamayo of Malolos RTC. We salute the families, lawyers and human rights’ defenders who tirelessly fought for justice as well as Judge Tamayo who bravely convicts the coward butcher," said.
But Elago added this should not be the end for the fight against the culture of impunity reigning in the country.
Human Rights Watch, in a separate statement, said this development "is a big blow against impunity in the Philippines."
"This ruling by a Philippine court came after a long and agonizing struggle for justice by the families and supporters of the two activists, who remain missing," said Carlos Conde, HRWPhilippines researcher.
The decision, he added, "should also serve as a reminder to state security forces that justice and the law will catch up with them sooner or later."
Various activist groups were also elated by Palparan's conviction.
“We are extremely elated that justice has finally caught up with the coward butcher. The law and evidence is not only on our side this time around but we are on the side of truth and justice,” the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) said in a statement.
“His conviction sends the message that cocky perpetrators of hideous human rights violations will meet their match in the fortitude of the mothers, the strrength of the mass movement, the courage of human rights defenders, and the value of good lawyering for the people,” it added.
The NUPL also “wishes” that Palparan would face perdition.
Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes, for his part, congratulated the families, lawyers and human rights group who all work together to attain justice for Palparan’s victims.
“This is a warning to all human rights violators. Impunity is not forever. The time of reckoning has come,” Reyes said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it is yet to receive a copy of the decision, but assured that the military will submit “to the majesty of the courts and respect for the rule of law.”
From the Malolos court, Palparan was brought directly to the National Bilibid Prison. (Keith A. Calayag, Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/ SunStar Philippines with VLA/SunStar Philippines)