MANILA, Philippines - Troops are not hunting down retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr., the defense secretary said yesterday.
However, soldiers can take custody of Palparan if they chance upon him since he is a fugitive, according to Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the search for Palparan, whom he described as a hardworking military officer, is a law enforcement function for the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Gazmin said that while there is no operation on Palparan, the military is ready if he decides to surrender. “It’s better if he surrenders so he can give his side to the cases filed against him,” he said in Filipino.
However, Gazmin said Palparan has not made any effort to contact him.
“He is a general, he knows what he’s doing.”
Legally speaking, Palparan has become a fugitive, Gazmin said.
Dellosa said the military is supporting the PNP’s hunt for Palparan.
“We will support the PNP on this through the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center,” he said.
Dellosa said upon the request of the Department of Justice, the defense and military establishments immediately instituted measures to prevent Palparan from leaving the country.
Robredo: Surrender
Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo advised Palparan yesterday to surrender and clear his name of kidnapping and torture charges.
“Hiding won’t do General Palparan any good,” he said.
“It would also give the impression to the mind of the public that he is guilty of the charges,” he said.
“To help him clear his name, I suggest he face the charges and prove his innocence.”
The government will give Palparan due process and a fair trial, he added.
Robredo said Palparan must not resist arrest since police officers know what to do with him.
Bayan: Condemn Palparan
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) challenged yesterday the Armed Forces to officially condemn and denounce the past acts of Palparan.
Renato Reyes, Bayan secretary-general, said the failure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to officially condemn, denounce and renounce Palparan’s alleged past criminal acts and methods speaks of the kind of policy being employed by the military.
“Remember that Palparan himself was commended by the past commander-in-chief Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” he said.
“It is a praise that has stuck with the institution like bad gum on a shoe. We have not heard the AFP speak to the contrary.”
Reyes expressed concern over repeated statements by a group of retired generals that Palparan’s prosecution and alleged trial by publicity could cause demoralization within the ranks of the AFP.
“Demoralization among the ranks is only possible if the AFP still shares the same ideals as Palparan,” he said. “If that is the case, then nothing has really changed with the Armed Forces. If the AFP will be demoralized by the prosecution of a known human rights violator, then it’s clear whose side the AFP is really on.
“The AFP has yet to be held accountable for the crimes committed under Oplan Bantay Laya. Under the principle of command responsibility, there are many other officials, including former chiefs of staff, who should be made to account for their role in the murder of hundreds of activists during the time of GMA (Arroyo’s initials).”
In Central Luzon, activists challenged Palparan to come out of hiding to prove that he is not guilty of charges files against him at the Bulacan regional trial court (RTC).
In an interview on Monday, Jose Munsayac, publisher of a community newspaper and former chairman of Bayan Muna in Bulacan, challenged Palparan to surrender.
Munsayac said Palparan’s men were the actual target of the case.
In 2005 and 2006, Palparan was the hunter, now he is the hunted, Munsayac said.
Meanwhile, lawyer Narzal Mallari, counsel for Palparan and his co-accused, said he had lost contact with him three days before charges were filed against them at the RTC.
Mallari said the general might surface anytime, but the decision was his. The lawyer also said that Palparan feels he was being singled out because of his link to former president Arroyo.
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