Bayan Muna solons want probe into Palparan's TV interview

Bayan Muna party-list lawmakers are seeking investigation into the media interview of convicted kidnapper and retired Army General Jovito Palparan by Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

In filing House Resolution 2546, Representatives Eufemia Cullamat, Carlos Isagani Zarate, and Ferdinand Gaite stressed that the SMNI interview of Palparan "reveals a clear double standard on the treatment of persons deprived of liberty and presents possible violations of the rules regarding the conduct of interviews and other activities with inmates, especially with those convicted for gross rights violations."

"The highly condemnable red-tagging interview makes a mockery of the country's justice and penal system and should rightly be subjected to a thorough and impartial probe to prevent further excesses and violations," the lawmakers said.

"It is imperative for members of Congress, as representatives of our people, to defend the rights of our people and check on excesses and violations, especially in this time of crisis. It must bring perpetrators to account to put a stop to these rights violations against its people. Laws and rules should serve the interest of our people, and should not be weaponized to suppress their rights and oppress them," they added.

The Bureau of Corrections is expected to submit a report on whether or not prison rules were violated in SMNI's interview with Palparan.

Asked for his comment on the matter, SMNI president Marlon Rosete said: "No thoughts."

The controversial retired general was interviewed by Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy on Quiboloy-led SMNI last March 30 despite being incarcerated for the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has said Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco was tasked to investigate the incident.

The lawmakers said Chapter III, Section 5 of the Bureau of Corrections Operating Manual states that a request for an interview on an inmate could be denied if he/she has a pending criminal case.

They said Palparan still has a separate kidnapping case pending before the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 19 over the abduction of Raymond Manalo, who supposedly witnessed the torture against the UP students.

Further, they noted that a request to interview a New Bilibid Prison inmate shall require the favorable recommendation of the director and the approval of the chief of the Department of Justice.

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has defended the interview, insisting it was in accord “with prevailing rules, legal precepts, and jurisprudence.”

Palparan was convicted by a Bulacan court for the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of the two UP students in 2006. He was sentenced to reclusion perpetua and has been behind bars since 2018.—AOL, GMA News