Palparan’s Possible Appointment to Dangerous Drugs Board Hit

Victims of human rights abuses decried Malacanang’s pronouncement that it is considering appointing retired Army General Jovito Palparan Jr. to sit in the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

BY BULATLAT
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Bulatlat

Victims of human rights abuses decried Malacanang’s pronouncement that it is considering appointing retired Army General Jovito Palparan Jr. to sit in the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

In a statement, the Hustisya!, the organization of the families of victims of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and other human rights violations of the Arroyo government said, “Palparan should be jailed for all his crimes against the people, and should not be given another position.”

Evangeline Hernandez, Hustisya! spokesperson said the pronouncement ‘shows how Palparan remains to be Arroyo’s favorite butcher and implementer of its repressive policies.’

Palparan has been linked to many cases of human rights violations.

“Why can’t Mrs. Arroyo just order the Justice department and the PDEA [Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency] to get their act together in running after and prosecuting illegal drug syndicates and pushers? Instead, Arroyo wants to give power to its notorious official and justify more repression and human rights violations, not only of criminals, but of the whole populace,” Hernandez said.

In a separate statement the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines) said Palparan is a ‘dangerous man’ for the DDB.

Danilo Ramos, KMP secretary general said. “The Arroyo government is really consistent, as those who commit crimes against the people are being promoted or assigned with luxurious posts.”

Ramos said that if Palparan gets the position, activists could be killed or arrested for being framed up as drug addicts or drug pushers.

Ramos said, “The real addict here is Gloria Arroyo herself. She is addicted to power; she is hallucinating that she could wipe out the legal-democratic movement and fantasizing that she could stay in power indefinitely. She should quit her post.” (Bulatlat.com)