CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regional director Ricardo Diaz appealed yesterday to alleged victims not to take the law into their hands by “arresting” fugitive retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan.
Instead, they should provide information to lawmen and thus be entitled to the P1 million reward for his capture, Diaz said.
“I ask them to please refrain from arresting Palparan by themselves as this could only lead to violence. Only the NBI and the police are mandated to serve the warrant of arrest against him,” Diaz told Punto.
Claiming no less than 108 of its members and sympathizers were among the victims of Palparan, the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL) announced over the weekend a “nationwide manhunt” for him.
“Palparan imposed the reign of terror in that implemented in Central Luzon the countless extra-judicial killings of activists and supporters. He is indebted to farmers and various sectors of the region,” said AMGL chair Joseph Canlas.
Palparan commanded the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based at Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija, from September 2005 until his retirement on September 2006.
Canlas descibed Palparan as “a resolute mad dog of the Arroyo government in implementing its counter-insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya.”
“To seek justice for his victims, we are now coordinating with our eight provincial chapters in the regions so that our members could contribute to his arrest,” Canlas said.
Palparan is wanted by the government for the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of University of the Philippines (UP) students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in 2005.
“Our members are our eyes and ears against Palparan, if he hides at the countryside of the region, his days are numbered and definitely he would be caught,” Canlas said.
AMGL said that at least 108 farmers and supporters belonging to AMGL, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna were victims of extra-judicial killings during the implementation of Oplan Bantay Laya 1 and 2 in the region. During Palparan’s stint, 57 farmers, indigenous people and fisherfolk were killed, it said.
The group added that supporters of Hacienda Luisita farmworkers became the common victims of extra-judicial killings during the implementation of Oplan Bantay Laya and Palparan’s time in the region.
Marcelino Beltran, Chair of AMT (Tarlac) was killed on December 8, 2004; Tarlac City councilor and former sugar mill worker Abel Ladera was killed on March 3, 2005; Iglesia Filipina Independiente priest Fr. William Tadena was killed on March 13, 2005 in La Paz town, Tarlac.
The other victims also included Victor “Tata Ben” Concepcion, peasant leader of AMC (Pampanga) who was active at the picketline was killed on March 17, 2005; Florante Collante, Bayan Muna Tarlac coordinator was killed on October 15, 2005;
Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labor Union (CATLU) president and Barangay Chair Ricardo Ramos was killed on October 25, 2005 at Barangay Mapalacsiao inside Hacienda Luisita; Tirso Cruz, a leader of United Luisita Workers’ Union (ULWU) was killed on March 17, 2006;
IFI Bishop Alberto Ramento who was actively supporting the farmworkers was killed inside the church at the center of Tarlac City on October 3, 2006.
“During the height of the fertilizer scam issue, AMC (Pampanga) peasant leader Ofelia Rodriguez who denied to media on October 25, 2005 receiving any such subsidy was subjected to continued surveillance until she was killed on January 16, 2006 at Barangay Divisoria, Mexico Pampang ,” recalled Canlas.
“Oplan Bantay Laya and Palparan’s command raised hell to the region and dark age on our democratic rights to organize and protest. The Arroyo government clearly benefited from Palparan’s fascist rule, thus, his arrest would strengthen the case against her,” Canlas said.
