Court urged to issue arrest warrant vs Palparan

MANILA, Philippines—Private prosecutors in the kidnapping case against retired general Jovito Palparan urged the regional trial court to issue a warrant for his arrest lest he try to use his connections to leave the country again.

Lawyer Edre Olalia of the National Union of People’s Lawyers said there was a big possibility that Palparan would try to leave again.

In addition to the country’s borders being “porous,” there is still the possibility that Palparan will intimidate airport or border officials to let him leave, Olalia said.

Meanwhile, the human rights group Karapatan said the case against Palparan, which was filed at a Malolos regional trial court, should be moved to a different venue because of security risks to the complainants and witnesses.