(Photo courtesy of Gerg Cahiles / CNN Philippines)

In a two-page order dated Oct. 1, Judge Alexander Tamayo of the Bulacan Regional Trial Court Branch 15 denied outright the motion of Palparan.

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com
 
MANILA – Retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan has finally been moved to the National Bilibid Prison, putting an end on his “staycation” at the Philippine Army Custodial Center.

Palparan, along with co-accused Col. Felipe Anotado and Staff Sgt. Edgardo Osorio, was formally turned over to the NBP’s Reception and Diagnostic Center today, Oct. 3 at 7:45 p.m., according to the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers.

In the past few days, human rights activists and victims of human rights violations have been criticizing the continuing detention of Palparan in the Army custodial center, despite a commitment order issued by a Bulacan court on Sept. 17, immediately after his conviction.
 
In a two-page order dated Oct. 1, Judge Alexander Tamayo of the Bulacan Regional Trial Court Branch 15 denied outright the motion of Palparan, citing a Supreme Court circular that stipulated that all trial judges must issue commitment orders for immediate transfer of a convicted felin to the national pentite tiary whether or not a motion for reconsideration or appeal has been made.
 
He added that the commitment order he issued supersedes the one that was issued by RTC Branch 19, where Palparan is also facing charges, this time in relation to the abduction and torture of the Manalo brothers, Raymond and Reynaldo.
 
For purposes of attending the other case, Judge Tamayo, citing the same judicial circular, said it will now be held within the premises of the penal institution.
 
Palparan is the highest military official ever to be convicted over a human rights violation over the enforced disappearance of university students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, who were abducted in Hagonoy, Bulacan more than 12 years ago.
 
In a landmark decision, Judge Alexander Tamayo of found him guilty of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, along with two other Army officials. All of them are facing two counts of life sentences.
 
NUPL president Edre Olalia earlier said his “staycation” reeks of “dilatory tactics” that “undermine and mock law and justice.”
 
Olalia also pointed out that his detention in the Philippine Army Custodial Center is “beyond public scrutiny” as one need to “pass through at least three layers of security check” before one can see him, “what he is doing, and in under what circumstance.”
 
He said, “who is his protector and handler for him to deserve such extraordinary privilege and to be accorded special treatment?”
 
In an earlier statement, Karapatan deputy secretary general Jigs Clamor assailed the military’s “blatant disobedience of a court order, and their brazen protection of a criminal.”
 
“Palparan is hiding yet again, coddled and tolerated by his fellow criminals. This is not an act of defiance, it is an act of cowardice,” Clamor added.