AFP not extending legal aid to Palparan

Retired General Jovito Palparan faced the media earlier today, says he is expecting arrest. Photo: Carlo Mateo / DZBB via Twitter

MANILA — Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Major Gen. Domingo Tutaan on Wednesday said the AFP will not be extending any legal assistance to retired Major Gen. Jovito Palparan.

This is in connection to Palparan’s arrest in connection with the 2006 disappearance of University of the Philippines (UP) students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño.

This is because the AFP no longer has jurisdiction over Palparan who already bowed out of service in September 2006. As such, the military establishment can not provide assistance to him.

“He is already retired. So, we will be subservient to the court… We will just abide with the court procedures on the matter,” Tutaan said.

He added that Palparan can use the Public Attorney’s Office in seeking legal aid if he does not have the resources to hire a lawyer to defend himself.

But the AFP spokesperson acknowledged that Palparan was still in active service when the alleged crime was committed.

He added that the AFP is not condoning these acts.

“The charges against him (Palparan), that is definitely being not tolerated by the AFP and that’s the reason why the AFP will be subservient to whatever rule of law will happen, to include the court procedures,” the AFP spokesperson said.