Lawyer: Palparan deserves better jail conditions

The lawyer of retired Army general Jovito Palparan on Tuesday renewed his call for his client to be transferred out of the Bulacan Provincial Jail, saying the former military officer deserves to be treated with respect. 

 

In a television interview, lawyer Narzal Mallares said Palparan is better suited to be detained at a military facility, or at the Philippine National Police detention center. 

Palparan, who has earned the monicker “The Butcher” for his alleged crimes, is charged with serious illegal detention in connection with the disappearance of UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in 2006. He is currently detained at the Bulacan Provincial Jail.

 

“Kung pagbigyan ng hukom, mas lalong maganda ho kung sa military facilities, dahil dati siyang militar. At isa pa, pwede naman sa PNP detention center eh. Nandoon nga ang magasawang Tiamzon eh, at ibang high profile detainees. Sa ranggo ng ating dating Major General Jovito Palparan, ay may konti naman tayong respeto,” Mallares told GMA News' Unang Hirit.

 

Mallares also pointed out the allegedly dismal accomodations and location of Palparan’s Bulacan jail, which could lead to a security breach.

 

“Not only that it is hot. Tiningnan namin kahapon, ang kaniyang paglalagakan, mga isang dipa at kalahati lang po ang kaniyang kwarto, at saka mainit. Ang security matters din, yung kanyang selda, nasa malawak na basketball court kung saan nadoon yung ibang mga detainees. So kung malingat po ang mga gwardiya na mabigyan ng kaukulang seguridad ang ating retired major general ng AFP, ay malamang pong may mangyari,” he said.

 

“Haharapin naman niya [ang charges] eh. Ang problema lang paano malalaman pag dating ng araw ng ating mga mamamayan na dapat siyang managot o hindi, kung wala na siya?” he added, saying that at least four suspected communist rebels are also detained at the Bulacan Provincial Jail.

 

“May apat po na detainees doon na suspected NPAs, at may isa pong high profile din na detainee, na namatay daw ang kaniyang tatay, at responsible daw si Palparan, kaya he's really bent on avenging his [father's death]. Under the given situation, we can imagine the situation of Palparan, as far as his security is concerned,” Mallares said.
 

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.

Transfer opposed

 

But while Palparan’s lawyer insists his client should be moved, Erlinda Cadapan, mother of UP student Sherlyn Cadapan is not convinced.

 

“Yung sinasabi na seguridad dun sa kulungan, nag assure naman yung provincial Bulacan, na makakaya nila,” Erlinda said, adding that Palparan as a detainee should not make any demands for comfort.

 

“Kung yung kinukwestyon yung maliit, siyempre kulungan yun, pero mas mabuti pa nga na magisa siya. In fact, yung bartolina nga na dinidiscribe ng aming witness [kung saan sila kinulong ni Palparan dati,] tatayo, uupo, diyan pa dudumi sa lugar na iyan. Siya may sarili pang CR, sarili pang higaan. I think yung pagsasabi ng ganun, naghahanap lang siya ng convenience and comfort niya,” she said. 

 

“Dun siya mananatili,” Mrs. Cadapan added.

 

Erlinda, whose daughter Sherlyn disappeared in 2006 after Palparan allegedly had her and fellow student Karen Empeño kidnapped, added that the retired general should not compare his situation to that of the Tiamzons.

 

“[Ang masasabi ko lang tungkol] sa mga Tiamzon na nandun sa PNP, ay maliwanag naman na sila ay ire-release na dapat, dahil sila ay NDF (National Democratic Front) consultant at covered sila sa JASIG,” Cadapan said.

 

The JASIG or Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees, signed on Feb. 24, 1995, provides immunity to rebels who are participating in the talks. — Patricia Denise Chiu/RSJ, GMA News