Palparan reported seen in Laguna

Jovito Palparan Jr.

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila de Lima  said Saturday the government was verifying reports of sightings of retired Army Major General Jovito Palparan, who has eluded the authorities more than a month after a court in Bulacan ordered his arrest.

De Lima said she would have investigators verify reports that Palparan, who has been charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the disappearance of University of the Philippines  students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, was seen in Laguna.

“There still no information on that,” De Lima said.

Palparan had been earlier reported to have been sighted  in various places in Central Luzon and even as  far as Mindanao.

Connie Empeño, the mother of one of the missing  students, said the government should intensify its efforts after news reports last week said Palparan was seen in in Bongabon and Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija, and later in Aurora.

Previous reports said Palparan was also seen in Bulacan and Zambales, Empeño noted.

“Enough with talk on Palparan sightings. Just get him! These are what I call not-so-intelligence reports. They mean nothing to our families if the authorities keep on only reporting on seeing Palparan but continuously fail to catch him,” she said.

“Thank you for these efforts but I would be more thankful if you do finally catch him,” she added.

The cause-oriented group Hustisya noted that Palparan and his fellow-accused, M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario, are still at large 32 days after the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 14 issued warrants for their arrest to face trial.

“We also urge soldiers with conscience to help bring this Butcher Palparan to justice. We believe that Palparan is being coddled by his minions in the military and some local politicians who have benefited from grave human rights violations perpetrated under his command,” said Hustiya secretary-general Cristina Guevarra.