The Philippine government had recently put up a P500,000 Philippine Pesos reward money for the capture of retired Major General Jovito Palparan Jr. for the crimes of kidnapping and illegal detention.
According to Philippines current events, Palparan is the target of an arrest warrant issued by the Bulacan Regional Trial Court for his alleged involvement in the disappearance of two University of the Philippines student activists in 2006.
Although there were talks of surrender, between Palparan’s emissaries and the government, the possibility of surrendering is growing thinner as weeks go by. “We presume surrender feelers are off,” Robredo said when asked what prompted the raising of the bounty.
Questioned if this meant the Palparan camp had indicated he would no longer give up, Robredo said: “Not really. But after a week, unless he communicates with the government again, we presume he is not surrendering anymore.”
Still in the Country
At the time of Palparan’s hiding, many have feared that he had already left the country before releasing his hold departure order. The migrant rights group Migrante urged the administration to launch an international manhunt for him.
However, Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome told reporters the information the PNP had gathered showed that Palparan was still in the country.
Though the PNP General would not divulge the information whether Palparan was in Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao, he did say that “the important thing is that he [Palparan] has not left the country.” Asked if Palparan’s arrest was imminent, Bartolome replied: “Hopefully.”
PNP Generatl Bartolome had also said that the PNP was treating each piece of information carefully and that the reward money should encourage people to help flush him out.
Assuring Palparan’s Safety
According to Current Events in Philippines, one possible reason why Palparan had not yet surrendered was with his fear for his life. Bartolome said the Palparan camp had sought the PNP’s assurance he would be in safe hands if he is taken into custody. Emissaries for Palparan wanted an assurance his security would not be compromised, Bartolome said. “We assure them that he will be properly secured,” he said.
He said Palparan, who had gone into hiding since the court ordered his arrest in connection with the disappearance of activists Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan, had no reason to fear for his life if he was taken into PNP custody.
Bartolome also confirmed of receiving feelers from Palparan’s camp about his possible surrender.
“Yes, we have also received surrender feelers. We are talking to some people,” Bartolome said. “We will always give this consideration, all this information we are getting from the community and from those who would like to negotiate.” For more information visit to our site at