MANILA, Philippines - It may be long overdue, but the arrest of retired major general Jovita Palparan is still a positive development, Malacañang said Tuesday.
In an interview with state-run Radyo ng Bayan, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Palparan will now be able to face the court and undergo the judicial process after falling to authorities before dawn Tuesday.
"Matagal-tagal na rin naman siyang pinaghahanap at maramiraming mga usapin na naihain na naghahanap ng paliwanag at naghahangad din ng katarungan ang mga sangkot na pamilya at indibidwal. Kaya ito ay positibong development na sana’y humantong sa pagtatamo ng katarungan," Coloma said.
The Palace also commended the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for its "steadfast doggedness" in pursuing all leads to find and capture Palparan.
"Today, this resolute determination has paid off, the long arm of the law has finally reached Mr. Palparan," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
Lacierda said President Aquino had promised that those who evade the law will be found.
Palparan had been on the run since December 2011 after a court issued a warrant for his arrest in the kidnapping and disappearance of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in Hagonoy, Bulacan in 2006.
The two are still missing, and the retired major general, who was in charge of a regional army unit, has denied any involvement.
After his arrest in Sta. Mesa, Manila earlier today, Palparan said he fears for his life.
Read: Palparan ready for regular jail but fears for life