Makabayan lawmakers laud Palparan’s arrest

Fugitive former Philippine Army Maj.Gen. Jovito Palparan talks to the media at the National Bureau of Investigation following his capture by NBI agents Tuesday, Aug.12, 2014 in Manila, Philippines. AP

MANILA, Philippines—Makabayan solons on Tuesday lauded the arrest of fugitive Jovito Palparan who was accused by militants as the “Butcher” allegedly behind human-rights violations against activists.

Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate said Palparan’s arrest is a “long-delayed action” to seek justice on the two missing UP students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan who were purportedly abducted upon the orders of Palparan.

“We laud the relatives of the victims, particularly the parents of Karen and Sherlyn, for their relentless efforts to make the favorite general of Gloria Arroyo accountable for his crimes,” Zarate said in a statement.

He said the government should not give Palparan special treatment. The retired general has claimed receiving threats to his life from the New People’s Army.

“For a person who used to brag about his power and influence while committing his crimes with impunity, it is shameless for Palparan to demand some special considerations because of the phantom threats that he supposedly faces,” Zarate said.

Meanwhile, Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon said the search for justice should not end at the arrest of Palparan.

“Palparan may have been arrested, but the primordial question is – are we anywhere near finding Karen and She? It has been more than eight years and they are still missing,” Ridon said in a statement.

Gabriela Rep. Emmi De Jesus, however, questioned the long-delayed arrest of one of the government’s so-called “Big Five” fugitives.

“Labis na nakapagtataka na sa loob ng apat na taon siyang nagtatago ay hindi siya nahuli.  Pinaghahanap ba talaga siya? Ano ba kaya ang tunay na dahilan bakit ngayon lang siya inilitaw?” De Jesus said.

(It is questionable why Palparan was not caught in all his years of hiding. Was he really being chased after? What is the real reason he only surfaced now?)

Palparan was arrested early Tuesday morning in Manila as he faces an arrest warrant issued by the Malolos regional trial court on charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention of University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan.  He went into hiding after the arrest warrant was issued in December 2011.

Former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Arroyo specifically lauded Palparan in her 2006 State of the Nation Address.

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