The
government peace panel for the negotiations with the Communist Party of the
Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) welcomed
on Tuesday the arrest of retired Major Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr., coinciding
with the observance of the "International Humanitarian Law Day."
In
a statement, the government peace panel said the arrest of Palparan, who was
wanted for the disappearance of two University of the Philippines (UP) students
and had been in hiding for almost three years now, "is a triumph of law
enforcement and the Philippine justice system."
"Although
it has taken eight years to capture him, the apprehension of Palparan
demonstrates the determination of the State to enforce the rule of law and
negate any assertion that this administration tolerates impunity," it
said.
"This
should encourage us to trust that our democratic institutions are working
vigorously and conscientiously to uphold human rights and protect every
Filipino from the abuse of power and authority," it added.
Palparan
was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Anti-Organized and
Transnational Crime Division in a rented house in Sta. Mesa, Manila
He
is facing kidnapping with serious illegal detention charges before the regional
trial court in Malolos, Bulacan for the abduction and subsequent disappearance
of Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan in 2006.
Justice
Secretary Leila de Lima, in a press conference at the NBI headquarters where
the retired army general is temporarily detained, said Palparan would be
arraigned on Aug. 18, when he will also be presented to the court trying his
case.
His
two co-accused -- Army Col. Felipe Anotado and S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio -- were
earlier denied bail by the court. Another co-accused, M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario, is
still at large.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=672061
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