AFP chief urges Palparan to surrender, face charges

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Armed Forces chief of staff Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa yesterday advised retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan to adhere to the rule of law and come out in the open to face the charges filed against him.

Dellosa made the statement following rumors that the fugitive retired military general was being coddled by some military supporters.

“We suggest that he come out,” Dellosa said. “At least if he is innocent he can clear his name.”

Palparan, former chief of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, has been in hiding after he was charged in connection with the disappearance of University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan in 2006.

He has a P1-million bounty on his head.

The Bulacan court has tasked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to serve the arrest warrant for Palparan along with three other officers.

Also accused in the case were Master Sergeant Rizal Hilario, Staff Sergeant Edgardo Osorio and Col. Felipe Anotado. Osorio and Anotado are now under government custody while Hilario is still at large.