A protester wears a mask depicting general Jovito Palparan at a rally (Photo by Joe Torres)
Philippine human rights groups slammed a court decision on Monday to transfer jailed Army general Jovito Palparan from the provincial jail in the province of Bulacan to a military custodial center in Manila.
"We lament the decision of the [court] to transfer General Palparan to the custody of the military institution," said Nardy Sabino, secretary general of the Promotion of Church People's Response.
Rights groups have dubbed Palparan "The Butcher" because of the high number of alleged extra-judicial killings in areas where he was assigned.
In August, security forces arrested Palparan in Manila, ending a two-year hunt for one of the Philippines’ most wanted men.
Sarbino said in a statement that Palparan's transfer to a military facility "shows the explicit special treatment" given by the government to the former general.
"We demand that security be given to the human rights victims and their family and not to the violators," said Sabino.
Lorena Santos, secretary general of the Families of Desaparecidos for Justice, said "the last ray of hope for justice has just been doused" with the transfer of Palparan to military custody.
Santos questioned the basis of the court decision, adding that even the police warden in Bulacan province admitted in court that the so-called threat to Palparan's life is "purely speculative”.
At the end of the hearing, unable to contain her disappointment over the court decision, a mother of one of the missing university students screamed out in court.
"You’re in a better position, General Palparan. You’re in jail. Your children and your wife can visit you. How about my daughter, where is she now?" said Connie Empeno, mother of Karen Empeno.
Bringing Palparan back to camp "is good as saying, he is back in power among his minions”, said Santos.
Lawyer Edre Olalia, secretary general of the National Union of People's Lawyers, said Palparan's transfer "will serve as a bad precedent and example for all those who can wreak evil and get concessions along the way”.
He said the move does not answer the question of why a civilian should be detained in a military facility. Palparan has retired from the military service and is considered a civilian.
Palparan went into hiding in December 2011 after a court in Bulacan province issued a warrant for his arrest for the kidnapping of two university students in June 2006.
The government had offered a reward of about US$114,000 for information that would lead to the former general's capture.
Among those allegedly killed by Palparan were human rights defender Eden Marcellana, peasant leader Eddie Gumanoy, Protestant pastor Edison Lapuz, lawyer Fedelito Dacut and Bishop Alberto Ramento of the Philippine Independent Church, according to rights group Karapatan.
From 2005 to 2006, when Palparan was commanding officer of the army's 7th Infantry Division, there were five massacres, and 71 activists were allegedly victims of extra-judicial killings.
Karapatan said Palparan is accountable for at least 59 enforced disappearances: five in Mindoro province, 42 in Central Luzon, and 12 in Eastern Visayas.