Palparan ready for regular jail but fears for life

MANILA, Philippines - Arrested high-profile fugitive retired major general Jovito Palparan says he is ready to be detained anywhere as long as he will be secured.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News shown on ANC, Palparan said he doesn't need hospital nor house arrest, though he feared that his life may be in danger while in jail.

"Kahit saan ako makulong, ang foremost concern ko lang ay security. Ayaw ko lang naman na mapatay ako ng kalaban at malaking advantage iyon sa movement ng Communist Party [of the Philippines]," Palparan said.

"Kahit anong condition [ng kulungan], I don't need special treatment," Palparan added. "Kahit sa barangay jail, okay lang 'yun, sanay naman tayo."

Palparan was arrested in Sta. Mesa, Manila early Tuesday in a joint operation between the military and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Read: Jovito Palparan arrested in Manila

He said in the television interview that he only hid in various places in Metro Manila.

The former military official denied that he sought refuge at the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Aguindalo in Quezon City.

Palparan also denied hiding outside the country and using private armies to avoid arrest.

The 63-year-old Palparan is charged with two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the alleged abduction of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in Hagonoy, Bulacan in 2006.

He had been evading arrest since December 2011.

Palparan has been infamously labeled as "berdugo" (butcher) for his alleged role in extrajudicial abductions and killings of political activists.

One of the so-called "Big 5" fugitives, the Aquino administration placed a P2 million bounty for his capture.

The fallen fugitive said he thought of surrendering before and face the charges, but his family feared for his life as well.

"Gusto ko sanang lumabas to clear myself, but I'm prevented by my family's concern for my security," Palparan said in the television interview.

Earlier, the mother of one of Palparan's alleged victims feared that he may refuse to be detained in a regular cell.

"Nagdududa din po ako dahil sa wala siyang resistance... basta sumama siya nang maayos. Ang nakikita ko po diyan, baka aapela na naman siya ng hospital arrest o house arrest," Connie Empeño said in a phone-patch interview with ANC.

Linda Cadapan, meanwhile, said their witnesses have told the court that they have seen the two missing UP students with the members of the military's 24th Infantry Battalion, which was previously headed by Palparan.

"Tiyak na tiyak po kami na siya ang namumuno doon, at siya po ay tinuturo ng aming mga testigo," Cadapan told ANC.

She believes that Palparan is guilty for the alleged abduction of her daughter.

"Kung hindi po siya kasi talagang guilty, [dapat ay] lumabas na siya noon pa. Bakit siya magtatago," Cadapan said.