📷: NUPL / Facebook
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) disputed the Bureau of Corrections’ assertion that retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan remains confined at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), citing official court records that contradict BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr.’s public denial of any transfer.
Catapang, in a recent interview, insisted Palparan was still at the NBP, even presenting video and photos of the convicted general in prison-issued clothing and undergoing medical inspection. But NUPL noted the materials lacked timestamps or verifiable location markers.
More critically, Supreme Court notices addressed to Palparan at the NBP were twice returned unserved earlier this year, with annotations from prison staff stating he had been “moved out: transferred to BuCor–Baguio” and later “moved out to PMA Baguio.”
Postal tracking records confirmed the failed deliveries with remarks that the addressee had “moved-out.”
“These annotations are clear admissions by NBP personnel that Palparan was no longer confined at the facility,” NUPL said.
NUPL President Ephraim B. Cortez stressed: “While General Catapang was quick to deny the allegations raised in the Manifestation filed before the Supreme Court, he has yet to present any evidence to support his claim. If Palparan is indeed still detained at the NBP, BuCor could have readily provided documentary proof.”
Families of victims Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, backed by human rights groups, have long raised concerns over Palparan’s alleged special treatment in custody. NUPL underscored that their demands are “neither speculative nor unfounded” but grounded in official records.
“The public, particularly the victims’ families who have spent years pursuing justice, deserve full transparency,” Cortez added. # (RRN)
