DAVAO CITY—Davao’s militant activists condemned a court order allowing the retired General Jovito Palparan to be transferred to a military custodial center in Fort Bonifacio.
In a decision handed down by Judge Teodora Gonzales of the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 14, it upheld the petition filed by Palparan’s lawyer who argued that the transfer was necessary due to the imminent danger in a provincial jail.
“We condemn the court’s decision and we view this as a special treatment to a fugitive former military general who is known for his notoriety on human rights violations,” said Sheena Duazo, Regional Secretary General of Bayan in Southern Mindanao Region.
Duazo insisted that Palparan must not be accorded with any special treatment and he must be treated like any ordinary prisoner. “The court’s decision is not morally acceptable.”
Hanimay Suazo, Karapatan Regional Secretary General, said that it is not surprising when Palparan sought to be transferred to AFP’s custody.
“Well, as expected, Palparan’s arrest and transfer of detention to Armed Forces of the Philippines Custodial Center is part of the deal. His arrest was very dramatic, well-planned and very synchronized by the AFP, DND, and Aquino himself to prettify their images,” Suazo said.
Suazo said Palparan’s transfer only indicated that the Aquino government is not serious in solving the human rights violations in the country.
“They wanted to protect and secure the impunity icon and butcher within the fascist headquarters together with his co-accused Col. Felipe Anotado and S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio,” she said.
“Palparan’s transfer to AFP & Special protection is an injustice to the victims! ” Suazo added.
Bayan natonal secretary general Renato Reyes also said “the move smacks of special treatment for a notorious human rights violatior. Palparan would be right at home at the Army HQ, where he would even be saluted by troops while in “detention”. The transfer is being done with the full support of the military establishment under Aquino.”
“The military seeks to protect one of its own. How then do we expect justice if this is how the court would treat the Butcher? So much for Aquino’s boast of having arrested Palparan, only to see him transfered to the Army headquarters,” said Reyes.
Palparan, who earned the moniker as the “butcher”, was nabbed by authorities last August 21at Sta. Mesa in Manila by virtue of a warrant arrest order for his involvement in kidnapping and serious illegal detention of University of the Philippines-Diliman students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in 2006. (davaotoday.com)
