Palparan is glaring example of gross negligence over human rights and continued threats against progressive organizations

Today I am bringing to the Commission on Appointments my manifestation of opposition to the pending confirmation of Jovito Palparan’s reappointment as Major General principally on the grounds that his command responsibility and personal culpability over an entire list of grave and horrible violations of human rights have not been sufficiently addressed.

Gen. Palparan’s reputation goes back a long way from his time as a Major serving in areas like Pampanga and Bataan up to his time as Commander of the 204th Infantry Brigade in Mindoro and even up to now that he is Commander of the 8th IB in Samar and Leyte.

Foremost among these was the abduction and summary execution of Eden Garcellanaand Eddie Gumanoy in Mindoro from last year in which the House Committee on Human Rights which I head had already pinpointed Palparan’s culpability as commanding officer of the military in the area and as head of Task Force Banahaw. We subsequently recommended his relief and immediate delivery to the proper authorities so that he can respond accordingly to the charges leveled against him over his role in these killings.

But to my surprise, here he is now before the CA and is about to be rewarded with another star in his rank despite his shady record. We have to remind the Commission and government in general that the military, its officers and personnel are under duty stemming from our commitments to international instruments such as the Geneva Conventions that in times of conflict, non-combatants are afforded rights to be free from intimidation, harassment and physical harm. Palparan, as commanding officer of various military units has been unable to stop.

And in fact, with all these documented cases which I elaborate upon in my manifestation, it would seem that wherever this Palparan goes, there is sure to be a long list of human rights violations following him.

Mr. Palparan’s record shows a lack of faithful adherence to the principles and tenets of human rights law and international humanitarian law in the performance of his duties as a soldier and as an officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that the high standards of this military organization require. I respectfully submit that this reflects a certain quality in Mr. Palparan as a soldier and as an officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that this Honorable Commission cannot ignore, and, on the contrary, should seriously examine and consider in passing upon his qualifications, character and fitness for reappointment to the grade of Major General.

I fear that with Palparan’s continued service and presence in our military ranks puts at risk the right of legal and above-ground progressive organizations to organize and mobilize against repressive government policies.

Government has no business rewarding such a character with a recognition he does not deserve, and a promotion that seems stained with the blood of innocent civilians exercising their legitimate right to air grievances and seek redress from government.

Rep. ETTA Rosales
Akbayan