HR group urges Aquino to compel military to cooperate in arrest of Palparan

MANILA, Philippines–A human rights group on Wednesday called on President Benigno Aquino III to order the Armed Forces of the Philippines to cooperate in the arrest of retired Major General Jovito Palparan and others involved in the abduction of two students from the University of the Philippines.

Jovito Palparan Jr.

“President Aquino should get the message to the military that the years of protecting Palparan for grievous abuses are over,” Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

“Officers and soldiers alike should be on notice that if they block civilian authorities in arresting Palparan, they too will face legal consequences,” she added.

Palparan, together with Sergeant Rizal Hilario have been in hiding since the Department of Justice filed charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in December 2011.

A group of active and retired military officials have publicly defended Palparan, denouncing what it called his “trial by publicity.” The group, in a statement to the media dated December 28, also warned of “demoralization in the soldiers’ ranks,” pointing out that Palparan and the others are accused of abuses allegedly committed while “leading operations against the communist insurgents in Central Luzon.”

But the Human Rights Watch said that President Aquino should make it clear that anyone – inside and outside the military – who obstructs the arrests will be held accountable for protecting Palparan.

Palparan, Hilario together with Lieutenant Colonel Felipe Antado and Staff Sergeant Edgardo Osorio who are currently under military custody are accused of kidnapping and detaining activists Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in 2006 while they reportedly conducted research in Central Luzon, where Palparan was an army division commander.