Move Palparan to Bilibid ASAP

Now, they are even proud of coddling a criminal and acting in contempt of court? The Armed Forces of the Philippines is making a mockery out of the cries for justice of the victims of Jovito Palparan, who remain under the protection of their ranks

We lambast the announcement of Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva’s announcement that Palparan remains at the Army Custodial Center in Fort Bonifacio and the AFP for continuing to maintain Palparan under their custody, almost two weeks after the Malolos RTC Branch 15 has sentenced Palparan to life imprisonment and ordered his immediate transfer at the New Bilibid Prisons.  

Yesterday, we received information that Palparan has been transferred to Bilibid. Of course, we were hopeful. The issue remains, why is he still in Fort Bonifacio? How dare the AFP continue to make excuses and claims just to able to keep the Butcher under their protection.

This is not only a delay in justice, but a resistance to accountability by the AFP.

“The excuses of the Philippine Army on why Palparan remains under their custody are a travesty of justice. Who coddles criminals but criminals too? We believe military officials who are making Palparan stay at the Army Custodial Center should be cited for contempt,” said Linda Cadapan, mother of Sherlyn.

Palparan, along with Staff Sgt. Edgardo Osorio and Col. Felipe Anotado, were sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping and serious illegal detention on the abduction and disappearance of missing University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan.

“The military is showing they are above the law, just to protect their general who remains to be held accountable for numerous human rights violations aside from what they did to our daughters. They seem to show they wield power over civilians and the people, their same mindset when they took away our daughters and all the other disappeared persons, and killed many activists and ordinary people. This should stop,” said Concepcion Empeño, mother of Karen.

Relatives of victims also rebutted the Philippine Army’s claim that because there remains a pending case against Palparan in Malolos RTC Branch 19 in Bulacan, the commitment order for Palparan to stay at the Army Custodial Center is still in effect.

The butcher and the military are actually afraid that perpetrators of human rights violations within their ranks will have their day in court. They will do everything they can to elude accountability, and enjoy impunity.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra announced early this week that Palparan has already been committed to the NBP.

We also challenge Malacañang to order the military to abide by the decision of courts.

If you really respect the guilty verdict and want justice for the victims, tell your military men to transfer Palparan to NBP the soonest. Prove that civilian authority prevails in the land, or else show that the Duterte government is under the heels of the military, short of a military rule.

Rights groups are gearing for protest actions next week to demand the transfer of Palparan to NBP.

Evangeline Hernandez

Chairwoman

Hustisya