Groups hit Palparan's transfer, cry special treatment

MANILA, Philippines — Rights groups led by Karapatan scored the decision of the Malolos court, ordering the transfer of retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan from the Bulacan Provincial Jail to the Army camp in Taguig City.

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said the Armed Forces of the Philippines has "moved heaven and earth" for Palparan's transfer of detention.

"Although not surprising as it is packaged with Palparan’s supposed arrest, the transfer is nonetheless ominous for the case’s trial, eventual prosecution, and jailing of Palparan,” Palabay said.

She also hit the top military and national security officials for its defense of the death threat against Palparan.

"AFP chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang, 10th Infantry Division and former ISAFP (Intelligence Service of the AFP) chief Eduardo Año, and DND ( Department of National Defense) secretary Voltaire Gazmin have been building up towards this transfer, using the worn-out alibi, if not imagined, 'threat to the safety and security' of Palparan," Palabay said.

Lorena Santos, secretary general of the group Desaparecidos, said the court virtually freed Palparan when it ordered the ex-military official's transfer.

"The last ray of hope for justice has just been doused. Palparan is essentially freed, and Malacañang welcomes it," Santos said.

"The basis of the decision is unclear. The police warden of Bulacan Provincial Jail Col. Flamenco admitted in court that his basis for the so-called threat to Palparan's life is purely speculative," Santos said.

Palparan is accused of masterminding the abduction and torture of two University of the Philippines students Karen Empeno and Sheryln Cadapan in 2006.