ANNEX “C”

Palparan says Army general cleared soldiers who stormed mining firm

http://www.malaya.com.ph/may03/metro4.htm

RETIRED Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan yesterday said the deployment of 14 Army soldiers involved in the “takeover” of the Consolidated Mines Inc. compound in Masinloc, Zambales last April 29 was approved by 7th Infantry Division chief Brig. Gen. Ralph Villanueva, commander of the Army in Central Luzon.

He said Villanueva cleared the deployment at the request of Faith Investment House (FIH) which bought the mining firm CMI. He said this was according to FHI and the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Palparan said his security agency, 24-Hour Security Provider, had been hired by FIH to consolidate its property and that he only issued orders to his security guards and not to the soldiers. He said the soldiers were backups who were supposed to serve as blocking force outside the CMI compound while the CIDG flushed out the armed men inside who were “identified with a businessman with dealings with CMI or Zambales governor Amor Deloso.”

He said the soldiers only entered the compound because they were open targets where they were.

Palparan said Deloso’s group later arrived and took custody of at least 10 armed men the CIDG had arrested. He said the governor asked his security guards to leave the compound but he refused. Later, he said two teams from the police and the Army assaulted the compound with clearance from Villanueva.

Reports later quoted Villanueva as saying that the 7th ID was deceived into deploying soldiers to accompany the group of Palparan in taking over the mining firm. The AFP last Wednesday ordered the soldiers involved in the assault restricted and investigated but admitted it no longer has jurisdiction over the retired Palparan.

Palparan said there is nothing irregular with soldiers acting as backup. He said he is willing to give a statement to Army investigators. “I did not commit any wrongdoing. But I think Gen. Villanueva, Col. (Philip) Lapinid (the battalion commander) and the provincial director (of the PNP) and the governor must be investigated also.”

He said he feels the initial entry of the soldiers in the compound was legitimate but he wants their actions inside the compound investigated since what they assaulted was private property. – Victor Reyes

ANNEX “D”

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/31867/Jovito-S-Palparan-Jr

Jovito S. Palparan, Jr.

02/23/2007 | 06:28 PM

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Birthdate: September 11, 1950
Birthplace: Cagayan de Oro City
Wife: Ma. Evangelina Gamad Flores Palparan, dentist
Children: Macy, JC, Martin, Bullet, Claude

ISSUES

Alleged human rights violator. The International Peasant Solidarity Mission found that there are “clear indications of military involvement” in the cases of human rights violations in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog. The group’s report noted that the military seems to have become more brazen (in committing the human rights violations) under the command of MGen. Jovito Palparan, Jr..Malacañang came to Palparan’s defense, saying that the international group’s report linking the military to political killings is preposterous. In a press conference, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita praised Palparan as an effective component in the government’s anti-insurgency campaign.

Campaign against communist insurgency. In his brief stint as 8th Infantry Division commander, Gen. Palparan was credited for reducing the insurgency problem in Samar by 80 percent. Palparan however said he could have terminated insurgency in the province had he been given a two-month extension to implement his “clearing operation”.In April 2006, Palparan gave a five-month deadline to wipe out the communist insurgency in Central Luzon – his area of responsibility as 7th Infantry Division commander.The deadline coincides with his 56th birthday and date of retirement from the AFP.

In Malacañang’s good graces. President Arroyo promoted Palparan twice: from colonel to brigadier general (2003); and from brigadier general to major general after serving as commander of the Philippine contingent in Iraq (2004). His promotion to major general came within months of his previous promotion.In her 2006 State of the Nation Address, President Arroyo acknowledged Palparan for his offensives against rebel terrorists. In the same breath she also said that she condemns political killings.

EDUCATION

Masters in National Security Administration, National Defense College of the Philippines (1999)
Masters in Management, Philippine Christian University
Joint Services and Staff Course, Canberra, Australia
Command and General Staff Course, Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila (with honors)
Infantry Officers Advanced Course, US Infantry School, Columbus, Georgia, USA
Field Officers Tactics III, Land Warfare Center, Canungra, Australia (excellent rating)
BS Business Administration, University of the East
Cathedral High School, Cagayan de Oro City

CAREER

Commanding General, 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army (September 21, 2005-September 11, 2006)
Commanding General, 8th Infantry Division, Catbalogan, Samar (2005)
Chief of Staff, Philippine Army
commander, Philippine Humanitarian Contingent in Iraq
brigade commander,
204th Brigade, Mindoro and Romblon
commander, Task Force Banahaw, CALABARZON
Commanding Officer, Doctrine Center
commander, AFP Rapid Deployment Force
commander, 24th Infantry Battalion for 5 years
lieutenant, served in Basilan and Sulu for eight years
commissioned, called to active duty to the AFP in 1973

ACHIEVEMENTS
(as claimed in his official biodata)

As company grade officer, his unit defeated the most notorious group of Moro National Liberation Front in Paticul, Sulu; this led to the surrender of rebel Hakim Sale a.k.a. Snake and 60 fully-armed fighters
As commander of the 24th Infantry Battalion, his unit was instrumental in
- clearing eight provinces in Central Luzon and Cordillera of insurgents;
- preventing the launching of coup d’ etat between 1987 and 1989
- elimination/liquidation of the New People’s Army / ABB in NCR, also between 1987 and 1989

AWARDS

Distinguished Service Stars
- Palparan received a distinguished service star in March 2006 for his service as commander of the 8th Infantry Division– the award was given amid persistent allegations from militant groups that he is a human rights violator.
Gold Cross Medal
Gawad sa Kaunlaran Medal
Bronze Cross Medals
Wounded Personnel Medals
- Palparan was wounded early on in his military career, during an encounter with the Moro National Liberation Front.
Military Merit Medals
Campaign Medals