A JUBILANT Jovito Palparan, retired Army
major general and the alleged mastermind of several
extra-judicial killings, said he will run for Congress through
the party-list system.
Interviewed at the Army’s 110th founding
anniversary in Fort Bonifacio, Palparan said his group, which he
declined to name, will seek accreditation from the Commission on
Elections as soon as they iron out some kinks which he also
declined to discuss.
Palparan said his party-list group will
represent the marginalized Civilian Armed Forces Geographical
Unit (Cafgu) and security guards who earn meager wages. "Our
advocacy is national security, all people engaged in security
who are marginalized. These are the communities which are
fighting (for security). The ba-rangay defense system members,
bantay bayan, the tanods, Cafgus are included," he said.
Palparan said President Arroyo is aware of
his political plans. He said her reaction was, "It’s okay,
that’s (your) right."
Palparan said many people are encouraging him
to pursue his political plans. "There are many people whom I
left in areas where I was assigned. They are like orphans. Their
lives have been put at risk," he said. "In Samar (where he
served as deputy commander of an Army infantry division), many
of them died already. So I have to also be back to support them.
It’s hard if I abandon them," Palparan said.
Early this week, the Commission on Human
Rights cleared Palparan of charges that he was involved in the
killing of members of militant organizations.
Palparan said he and his family were
confident that he would be cleared. "That is expected because I
have no involvement. There is nothing with me they can find out.
But then I am still happy because finally CHR has come out with
findings that is based on factual and truthful investigation,"
he said, adding that his family’s only worry is the "continued
barrage of propaganda against me."
Palparan said he expects militant
organizations to criticize the CHR for its findings. "If it’s
not in their favor, they would always object," he said. "I hope
that these killings will finally be resolved so that people who
are really responsible for such killings will face the proper
authorities."
Palparan, who was supposed to join the government after his
retirement, said he is still open to a government job, one that
his training will enable him to do well. Last year, he was
rumored to have been appointed to the office of national
security adviser Norberto Gonzales as one of Gonzales’ deputies.
Palparan himself said his NSA appointment was already a done
deal but was recalled and "immediately cancelled" because of
"the thug in Malacañang who doesn’t want me in the company." –
Victor Reyes
