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“This is clearly another case of state harassment against progressive leaders and organizations to silence us amid the mounting public clamor for change. What is dangerous is that 101 John Does have been included in the warrant that was used to arrest him.” – Naty Castro, secretary general of Karapatan-Caraga
“I even attended this press conference and I am active most recently in relief missions for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan),” said Genasque Enriquez.
“Even with the capture of notorious Gen. Jovito Palparan recently, his butcher mentality and his bloody human rights record have been well-entrenched in the AFP’s bureaucracy and is carried on by no less than his protégé, Gen. Ricardo Visaya. The continuing Palparan-like killings and tactics is proof of that.” – Jomorito Goaynon, chair of Kalumbay Regional Lumad Organization
“While his transfer to a regular detention cell today is some kind of soothing balm to a lot of pain and suffering for his many victims, the fight for justice is far from over. His unscrupulous disciples of darkness will not tire of wronging a right to protect evils incarnate.” – Edre Olalia, National Union of People’s Lawyers secretary general
“Palparan’s practices are part of the military’s official policy. Palparan is only the most known but the implementation of the counterinsurgency program is systematic.” – Benito Tiamzon
“Palparan sees enemies everywhere. A person wearing red shirt is his enemy. A person who carries a banner is his enemy. People who demand jobs, decent wages, land to till, shelter -- they are all Palparan’s enemies. So where will he go?” Aya Santos, Desaparecidos secretary general
“The arrest of Jovito Palparan, a retired army major general, marks a rare challenge to the country’s rampant impunity, which the government of President Benigno Aquino III has failed to adequately address,” Carlos Conde, Human Rights Watch
SPECIAL REPORT: His eyewitness account, lauded by the Supreme Court for being clear, categorical, consistent and credible, served as among the evidences that led to the filing of charges of two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention for the enforced disappearance of the two students of the University of the Philippines Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, along with farmer Manuel Merino, on June 26, 2006 in Hagonoy, Bulacan.
“With boundless hope and bated breath, may justice find its place amidst tragedy and the many lives that have been snatched, futures destroyed and agonizing years that have passed.”– Edre Olalia, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
A look at the previous Bulatlat.com stories -- the earliest were written in 2003 -- show that Palparan has left a trail of blood in areas where he had been assigned – Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas.
“I am in tears. I hope that justice would be served and that they would now surface Karen and Sherlyn.” Connie Empeño, mother of disappeared UP student Karen
In the press conference, the Free Kim Gargar (FKG) Alliance also reiterated that while Kim’s colleagues, family and friends are welcoming his release on bail, demands for the court to drop all trumped-up charges against Kim still stand.
The PNP should be accountable for their illegal arrest and detention. We demand their immediate release.” – Hustisya
Citing several Supreme Court decisions, the lawyers argued that the charge of rebellion proscribes the filing of other offenses committed in furtherance of or in connection with rebellion.
“While BS Aquino is harping on his false achievements, it is at the same time whipping its stick on the people who are expressing discontent amid poverty, corruption, unemployment and injustices.” – Cristina Palabay, Karapatan
The defense lawyers from the Public Interest Law Center (PILC) and National Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL) pointed out that the Hilongos case is a recycled case, which was maliciously filed with the sole motive of persecuting the accused.
Dr. Ma. Luisa Garcia, 46, and Rosita Labarez, 57, president and vice-president of the Controlled Economic Zone Federation, Inc. (Cezfed), were leading residents of Barangay Holy Spirit to protest the impending bidding of the 13-hectare residential area, in front of the Sandiganbayan, when they were arrested.
Seven years after soldiers killed his daughter, peasant-turned-activist Gregorio Galacio was killed by suspected military men at dawn on July 19.
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