Palparan: De Lima messes my case
MANILA, Philippines – Former Army general Jovito Palparan Jr., known to his antagonists as "The Butcher", admitted he went into hiding as he believed that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was "messing up" with his case.
In a radio report, Palparan said he went into hiding after immigration authorities deplaned him from a Singapore-bound flight at Diosdado Macapagal International Airport last Monday.
"Yes, I am missing because she (De Lima) is messing up with my case," the report quoted the former military official, believing that he won't get a fair trial under the Aquino administration.
He also bewailed the kidnapping charges against him, saying "Ang kidnapping is a charge against private individual o grupo na pribado, hindi taong-gobyerno. Kung taong-gobyerno, arbitrary detention," he added.
“Bigla na lang ikaso sa iyo na wala kang sagot, tapos ikukulong ka na lang na hindi mo man lang naipagtanggol ang sarili mo,” Palpaparan was quoted saying.
On Wednesday, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Malolos City issued hold departure orders against Palparan and three others in connection with the disappearance of two students of University of the Philippines in 2006.
Judge Teodora Gonzales of Malolos City RTC Branch 14 issued the HDO against Palparan and military officers Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado Jr., S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio, and M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario.
This after the Department of Justice (DOJ) found probable cause to file two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention against the suspects. The court has earlier issued warrants of arrest against them last Dec. 19.
Hilario and Osorio voluntarily surrendered to the authorities and are currently detained at the Philippine National Police custodial center in Camp Crame.
Palparan and Anotado are subject to manhunt operation.
The DOJ has charged Palparan with kidnapping and illegal detention in connection to the disappearance of Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno.
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