Rights group: AFP coddling Palparan despite life term

MALOLOS, Bulacan -- Rights group Hustisya lambasted the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ delay of retired general Jovito Palparan’s transfer to New Bilibid Prisons, after a court  here sentenced him of life imprisonment for kidnapping with serious illegal detention of University of the Philippines students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan.

 “The AFP is making a fool out of the victims and even the courts by saying they’re still waiting for a commitment order. The court decision is the order itself. The military is making themselves above the law again,” said Evangeline Hernandez, chairperson of Hustisya, organization of victims and relatives of victims.

Together with Desaparecidos, or Families of the Disappeared for Justice, Hustisya on Monday welcomed the decision of Malolos RTC Branch 15 Judge Alexander Tamayo, but warned that the people should be vigilant in making sure that Palparan is really put to jail.

“The AFP is obviously making excuses whatever they can to keep their beloved general, a criminal and human rights violator, in their turf. The court decision is the commitment order itself. Palparan should be brought to NBP the soonest. He has enjoyed years of special treatment at Fort Bonifacio, it’s time that justice be served at the fullest by treating him like a common criminal,” said Hernandez.  

Mothers of Karen and Sherlyn also said that inside court, Palparan’s counsel asked the court to let him stay at Fort Bonifacio because there remains pending cases against him, to which the judge replied that it will be against the Supreme Court guidelines that upon conviction, inmates should be transferred to national penal institutions like the NBP.

“We were also informed that the judge has handed over the decision to Palparan’s security from Fort Bonifacio. What commitment order are they looking for? What makes Palparan different from ordinary prisoners who were immediately transferred to NBP upon conviction? The delay of his transfer at the NBP reeks of special treatment. He has been proven guilty, and as long as he remains in an army camp, that is impunity,” said Erlinda Cadapan, mother of Sherlyn.

“They have wronged us since the day they took our daughters and made them disappear them without a trace. We are calling on all those who supported us in this fight for justice to join the call to jail Palparan at NBP,” said Concepcion Empeno, mother of Karen.

Hustisya announced they will gear for actions this week to protest the delayed transfer of Palparan, and demand that he be jailed the soonest at the NBP.

“We cannot allow another setback for justice for victims of rights violations under Palparan. His conviction has been a long and tiresome journey for justice for the victims,” Hernandez ended.

The two disappeared students were abducted on June 26, 2006. Their loved ones have never heard of them since, only until a witness, Raymond Manalo, was able to escape and tell their ordeal in the hands of the military.