‘Life was difficult,’ says Palparan

By: Nestor Corrales - 10 years ago

The hideout: A house in Sta. Mesa, Manila that served as solace for fugitive retired General Jovito Palparan. Photo courtesy of Maria Sol Paule, KARAPATAN

MANILA, Philippines— “Life was difficult, very difficult.”

That’s how retired Major General Jovito Palparan described his ordeal after he went into hiding in 2011 when he was ordered arrested in connection with the 2006 abduction of two University of the Philippines students.

“Life was difficult, very difficult. But I do not regret anything because what I did was for the good of the people,” Palparan said.

“But I do not encourage people to run away from justice,” he added.

He said he could not do the things he used to do because his movements were restrictive.

“Hindi ganoon kadali. Mas mahirap pa kaysa kung nakakulong ka na,” he added .

Palparan was tagged as “The Butcher” or berdugo because he was accused of being the chief architect of alleged torture and killing of political activists during his stint in the military.

In fact, the New People’s Army (NPA) had a hit order against him.

The NPA hit order according to Palparan was a “massive threat” to his life.”

How Palparan was arrested

The former military general recounted how he was arrested.

According to him, he was sleeping on the second floor of a house in Sta. Mesa, Manila when he woke up to the bright light and noises outside his room.

When he was in front of his door, he knew it was the raiding team of the government.

“Sabi ko, nandito ako. Ako si Palparan. Ang hinahanap niyo (So I said, I’m here, I’m Palparan, the man you’re looking for),” he said.

He operatives of the NBI and the armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) followed proper procedure in arresting him.

On Tuesday morning, combined forces of the NBI and the AFP raided a house on Teresa Street in Sta. Mesa, Manila, a few meters away from the Manila Police District Station 8 and near the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) where student activism thrives.

No hospital arrest but …

Palparan said he would not request for a hospital arrest unless his health condition worsens.

He said he had undergone a medical examination but the result has yet to be release.

“Mabuti naman (I feeling well),” he said when asked about his health condition.

According to him, he is willing to be detained anywhere as long as the government would assure his security.

“May problema ako sa security. Malaki yung threat (Securing me will be a big problem. The threat is so dreadful),” he said.

In a press conference, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the former military general would be fairly treated and would enjoy presumption of innocence.

“A just, fair and humane treatment would be given to him,” de Lima said.

Political plans

Palparan when asked if he has any political plans said it is “impossible” for him to run for public office in 2016.

He, however, disclosed that he might run for public office in the future if there is an opportunity.

“Kung nasanay ka kasi sa public office, di mo na maalis yun. Marami din kasing umaasa sa atin (If you’ve been in public office, it would be difficult not to miss it. There are still people looking up to you),” he said.

The military officer, retired from the service on September 11, 2006, ran in the elections and won a seat in the 14^th Congress as the representative of a partylist group.

Maintains innocence

Palparan said he was innocent of the charges filed against him.

“Wala akong alam sa mga binabato sa akin (I don’t know a thing about charges being hurled against me),” saying he was ready to surrender if he had not have any threat to his life.

“Natural din naman sa kanila na file-an ako kasi masyado akong successful and they have to put me down kasi walang makakagawa ng mga nagawa (as a military officer),” he said.

De Lima, meanwhile, assured the victims of human rights abuses that justice would be served.