AFP ‘happy’ about Palparan’s transfer

Retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Armed Forces of the Philippi‎nes (AFP) is “happy” with the Malolos court’s decision allowing retired Major General Jovito Palparan to be transfered to the Philippine Army Custodial Center in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

“We are happy to hear that Gen. Palparan’s request has been granted by the court. We look forward to his safety while undergoing trial‎,” AFP Chief of Staff Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. told the media on Monday.

Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 14 granted the petition of Palparan to be transferred to the military detention ‎center from Bulacan Provincial Jail, where he was initially committed by the court last Aug. 18.

Palparan’s camp filed a motion last Sept. 1 asking their client to be transferred to the custody of the Philippine Army Custodial Center or the detention center of the Intelligence and Security Group at the AFP Custodial Center citing threats to his life.

Palparan filed the motion after the court rejected his bid to stay at the National Bureau of Investigation.

‎Lieutenant Colonel Noel Detoyato, Philippine Army spokesperson, said Palparan will be detained alone in a 2.8 meters by 4.3 meters cell with a bed and an electric fan.

‎Detoyato said Palparan’s fellow jailbirds are Army Lieutenant Colonel Felipe Anotado and Staff Sergeant Edgardo Osorio. Both are Palparan’s co-accused in the abduction of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan, Karen Empeño and farmer Manuel Merino in Hagonoy town, Bulacan province, in 2006.

Anotado and Osorio surrendered in December 2011.

“Definitely, he’s secured there. Puro sundalo rin ang kasama niyang naka-detain (He will be joined by other detained soldiers),” ‎he added.

The retired major general is the former commander of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division.

Palparan was arrested last August 12 by virtue of an arrest warrant linking him to the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of University of the Philippines-Diliman students Cadapan and Empeño in 2006.

RELATED STORIES

Bulacan court allows transfer of Palparan to AFP Custodial Center

Activists hit Palparan transfer to AFP custody