Human rights and progressive groups are up in arms over the Malolos court’s decision to transfer former General Jovito Palparan to the Philippine Army Custodial Center in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The groups called for the detention of Palparan in Bulacan Provincial Jail.

Citing supposed threat to the ex-general’s security, the Regional Trial Court Branch 14 granted Palparan’s petition to be detained in the custody of Philippine Army. This despite objection from the prosecution team that argued that transferring Palparan to the custody of his former subordinates in the Army constituted special treatment.

Edre Olalia, lawyer and secretary-general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), said that the decision will set a bad precedent and that the threat poised by Palparan’s counsel was speculative.

“(It) does not answer the question, ‘Why should a civilian be detained in a military facility?’ (And) why, for heaven’s sake, will Palparan be detained, in all places, his old stomping grounds in the headquarters of the Army?” said Olalia.

Concepcion Empeno, mother of missing UP student Karen, was in tears after the hearing. She said, addressing the ex-general, “You’re in a better position, Gen. Palparan. You’re in jail. Your children and your wife can visit you. How about my daughter, where is she now?”

“The basis of the decision is unclear. The police warden of Bulacan Provincial Jail Col. Flamenco admitted in court that his basis for the so-called threat to Palparan’s life is purely speculative,” Lorena Santos, secretary general of Desaparecidos said.

Rights groups said that the decision proved that the government and the military have coddled Palparan, adding fuel to speculations that his arrest was just a grand design.

“The Aquino regime and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will never ever allow the likes of Palparan to be jailed. (It is) because the arrest and jailing of Palparan is an indictment of the whole AFP, which abounds with Palparan clones,” said Cristina Palabay, secretary-general of Karapatan.

Palabay added that the Aquino administration did not have in mind safety and security of its citizens “not only in terms of the pervading criminality but also in terms of the continuing rights violations.”

Progressive groups, meanwhile, said that the transfer of Palparan amounts to a homecoming for a “notorious human rights violator”.

“It is a grave insult to the families of the victims of extrajudicial killings, human rights abuse, torture and disappearances,” said Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan national chairperson.

Elmer Labog, Kilusang Mayo Uno chairperson, said that workers are “enraged” that “a mass murderer is set loose and allowed to continue his reign of terror inside the comforts of an AFP camp”.

“Palparan’s transfer from a regular jail to the custody of the commander-in-chief and the military further contributes to the climate of impunity in the extra-judicial killing of political activists,” Antonio Flores of the Kilusang Magbubukid said.

During Palparan’s stints as commander in different military units across the country, scores of civilians and activists allegedly became victims of human rights violations, from harassment and torture to enforced disappearance and extra-judicial killing.

Two of Palparan’s co-accused, Col. Felipe Anotado and S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio are also at the Philippine Army Custodial Center. Palparan is facing charges of kidnapping with serious illegal detention for the disappearance of Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan.