Veiled threats from Palparan supporters?

It seems embattled retired general Jovito Palparan Jr. has some support. And who else would give it other than retired and active co-generals. The fraternity attitude of soldiers has once again been bared. My brother no matter what. An organization of past and present military and police generals have expressed concern and called for a halt to Palparan’s “trial by publicity”, saying that the former general now turned fugitive has not been proven guilty in any court, and must be treated fairly without any bias whatsoever. They say that he must face the charges, but have made no calls for him to surrender. That’s really funny.

See, here is the problem with some of our armed forces. So may cases and instances have occurred where the military has been blamed for disappearances, torture and the like. And yet, we have a dearth of military men being prosecuted for these crimes. Except now. Here, we have a high profile military officer being implicated in the kidnapping and illegal detention of two female UP students. Again, how two female UP students could be seen as a threat to the state is still beyond me. Now, these military officers, past and present are asking for fair play, for justice, for equal treatment from the press, from the people, with regards to the Palparan case. Ironic. It even sounds like a veiled threat.

What about the rights of the two missing students, who at present have not turned up in any way or form? What about the rights of their parents to know what happened to their children? Have the past and present officers even thought about that? How I wish it was their daughters that were missing, and that there were a principal suspect, who is gaining support from known felons and criminals that he be given his day in court, that he is innocent until proven guilty, and he be treated fairly. How does that feel?

As for Palparan, he had all the chance to prove himself innocent. He emphatically said that he would face whatever charges leveled against him in connection with the disappearance of the two students, professing innocence. And then he tries to leave the country the next day, in clandestine fashion. So much bravado, so much cowardice from a soldier with the moniker of an executioner. Amazing how fast a “powerful” man runs away when justice is sure to catch up with him. When all the protection is taken away from him, and left to fend for himself. Like Saddam Hussein, who was hiding in a sewer when found by coalition troops. Palparan’s former commander-in-chief is already under arrest, so there is no one there to condone his actions, and to protect his skin. Now, he has gone into hiding. Palparan has himself to blame if people have already made up their minds with regards to his innocence or guilt. Just like Ramona Bautista, who has successfully fled the country in the wake of his brother’s murder. We all know what we think of her.

So instead of these former and current military and police officers coming to the defense and support of Palparan, they should be helping find the fugitive, and let justice take its course. If he is innocent, what is he afraid of? Soldiers are sworn to protect the citizens of the country, not the other way around. If they cannot help in finding Palparan, then they should just remain quiet, because their words just speak volumes about their own past actions. Military personnel are not untouchables, despite what they perceive themselves to be. If I remember correctly, honor is what should be ingrained in every soldier. Well, there certainly is no honor in running away from justice. Especially if he believes he is innocent!

If.