AFP chief: Military will secure Palparan so he can stand trial

From GMA News (Aug 19): AFP chief: Military will secure Palparan so he can stand trial

The military is not coddling retired Major General Jovito Palparan Jr., the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Monday, adding Palparan must be secured so he can be tried.

AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said in an interview on "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho" Monday night that the military will secure the general, who has been charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention, so he can face justice.

"Di ba gusto natin humarap si General Palparan sa hustisya? Eh, anong mangyayari po kung pababayaan natin yung security niya? Kung mamamatay siya, paano tayo makakakuha ng justice kung may pagkakamali si General Palparan?," he said.

He said the military will continue to provide additional security as long as the court allows them to do so, pointing out that Palparan has yet to be proven guilty of the charges against him.

Palparan was brought to his arraignment at a Bulacan court on Monday by a convoy of National Bureau of Investigation and Armed Forces of the Philippines vehicles.

"Ang importante, mabuhay si General Palparan, maimbestigahan, and finally, ultimately, mapakita ... mahusaghan kung talagang nagkamali ba siya o nagcommit ng human rights violations," Catapang said.

Palparan has been charged in connection with the disappearance of UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in 2006.

Palparan was arrested last week in Sta. Mesa, Manila after almost three years in hiding.

On Monday, the Bulacan court handling the cases against him entered a "not guilty" plea for him after he refused to enter one.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/375388/news/nation/afp-chief-military-will-secure-palparan-so-he-can-stand-trial