Palparan arrest not to satisfy communist rebels - Palace

MANILA, Philippines - The arrest of retired army major general Jovito Palparan has nothing to do with the peace negotiations between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), Malacañang said Wednesday.

"It is inaccurate to say that the arrest was done to please the NDF," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a televised press briefing, referring to the National Democratic Front, the political arm of the CPP.

Lacierda said the capture of Palparan, labeled as the "butcher" for his supposed involvement in the killings and disappearances of activists allegedly linked to the extreme left, should not be seen as a confidence-building measure of the government for its peace talks with the CPP.

The Palace official said so far, there have only been informal discussions with the communist rebels.

He also urged media not to put color to the statement of the government peace panel in talks with the CPP on Palparan's arrest.

"This should encourage us to trust that our democratic institutions are working vigorously and conscientiously to uphold human rights and protect every Filipino from the abuse of power and authority," the statement said.

After hiding for three years, Palparan was nabbed by the military and the National Bureau of Investigation in Sta. Mesa, Manila on Tuesday.

In an interview with media following his arrest, Palparan said his foremost concern is his security in jail.

"Ayaw ko lang naman na mapatay ako ng kalaban at malaking advantage iyon sa movement ng Communist Party [of the Philippines]," Palparan said.

One of the so-called "Big 5" fugitives, Palparan is charged with two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the alleged abduction of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in Hagonoy, Bulacan in 2006.

Palparan insisted that he was not involved in the disappearance of the students and claimed that they were members of the CPP.