A former Philippine army general on Monday refused to enter a plea when he was arraigned on kidnapping charges for the disappearance of two student activists eight years ago.
The court entered a not guilty plea for former major general Jovito Palparan, who was arrested last week after nearly three years in hiding.
Palparan has previously denied being involved in the disappearance of student activists Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan in Bulacan province, just north of Manila, in 2006.
At the time of the disappearance, the 63-year-old general was the head of an army battalion and waged an anti-communist campaign in northern Philippine provinces, including Bulacan.
Human rights activists called for vigilance against special favours for Palparan and any legal manoeuvres that would let him escape accountability.
“He should be swiftly convicted and end up in jail,” said Cristina Palabay, secretary general of human rights group Karapatan, which protested at Palparan’s arraignment.
Palparan expressed concern about his safety if detained at the Bulacan provincial jail.
“I am used to suffering, your honour. I just value my life and the risks are real,” he told the court in support of his plea to be held at a different detention centre.
His lawyer noted that there are four communist rebels detained at the Bulacan provincial jail, who could attempt to kill Palparan.
Palparan has been nicknamed as “the butcher” for allegedly being behind the murder and disappearance of dozens of leftist activists from 2005 to 2006.
After his retirement in 2007, he became a congressman, representing an anti-communist grouping called Bantay.
He went into hiding in December 2011 after the court ordered his arrest on the kidnapping charges.
GNA
PDC
