http://www.karapatan.org/BS+Aquino%2C+AFP+treating+Palparan+and+Purisima+like+sacred+cows
“Human rights violators and plunderers in the military and police are being treated like sacred cows by the Aquino administration,” Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan said as their group supports the motion filed by private prosecutors on the criminal charges against retired M/Gen. Jovito S. Palparan.
Filed by National Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL), representing complainants Mrs. Concepcion Empeno and Mrs. Linda Cadapan, the motion to transfer custody requests the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 14 to transfer Gen. Palparan from Philippine Army Custodial Center (PACC) to a civilian detention in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, City.
“An army general accountable for heinous crimes and jailed in a military camp is no less than a special treatment,” Palabay said. “BS Aquino’s defense of PNP chief Alan Purisima on questions regarding his lifestyle is the same special treatment. These uniformed men are being treated like sacred cows, shielding them from justice,” Palabay added.
Currently facing two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention for the disappearance of Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno, Ret. M/Gen. Palparan’s motion to transfer detention from Bulacan Provincial Jail was granted by the court under the sala of Judge Teodora Gozales. The court invoked Palparan’s “existing threat to life and security”, “expenses” and “safety of other inmates” in its decision to transfer him to Philippine Army Custodial Center – a place where Palparan is most comfortable, second to his home, according to Karapatan.
Karapatan asserts that Palparan should be in a civilian jail for the PACC has no jurisdiction over the Palparan.
“This case has not even commenced substantially since Palparan was arrested, but already are showing signs of injustice, what more can we expect in the duration of the trial?” Palabay said.
“BS Aquino’s defense of criminals is disgusting. First is the treatment for pork scammers Janet Lim Napoles and three senators. Now, the protection and defense for uniformed criminals, Palparan and Purisima. This is clearly impunity,” Palabay concluded.
Reference:
Cristina “Tinay” Palabay
Secretary General
+63917-3162831
Angge Santos
Media Liaison
+63918-9790580
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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign.
