Leftists urge gov't: No VIP treatment for Palparan

MANILA, Philippines - Left-leaning groups on Tuesday called on the government not to give special treatment to retired general Jovita Palparan following his arrest in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Militant group Bayan said in a statement that it also expects a speedy trial of the serious illegal detention case against Palparan at the Malolos Regional Trial Court in Bulacan province for the two missing University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sheryln Cadapan.

"The arrest of 'The Butcher' Jovito Palparan is long overdue. The warrant for his arrest was issued in December 2011. Under the Aquino regime, justice for Palparan's victims remains elusive," Bayan said.

It added: "There should be no special treatment for the ex-general. We look forward to a speedy trial so that justice can finally be rendered in the disappearance of our colleagues and friends Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan. Their families have been fighting for justice for years now."

The group also said that Palparan must be held accountable for the victims during his "reign of terror" in Mindoro, Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

In a separate statement, rights group Karapatan said the people who harbored him should also be criminally liable.

Karapatan said the capture of Palparan does not absolve the Aquino administration from human rights violations allegedly committed by the government during his term.

"His (Palparan) arrest does not absolve [President] Aquino from accountability for the human rights violations—killings, torture, and enforced disappearances—committed by the Palparans under his reign," Karapatan said.

Karapatan alleged that from 2005 to 2006 during Palparan's leadership in the Army's 7th Infantry Division, there were 71 victims of extrajudicial killings, 14 victims of frustrated killing, and five incidents of massacre.

"There should likewise be no more delays in delivering justice, for the victims and their relatives have suffered far too long. Place Palparan behind bars now," the group said.