Anti-Gloria watchdog supports filing of criminal charges vs. GMA “henchman”

The GLORIA PANAGUTIN Network expressed support for the filing of human rights violation charges against Gen. Jovito Palparan, the so-called “berdugo” or henchman of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her term as President.

Complainant Raymond Manalo, a witness to the abduction of UP students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, through his lawyers filed before the Office of the Ombudsman a complaint on arbitrary arrest, kidnapping, torture, etc against retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, etal.  The case has been filed as early as September 2008.

Members of the GLORIA PANAGUTIN Network and human rights advocates joined Manalo in filing a second motion to resolve the case at the Office of the Ombudsman Thursday morning.

“We pray for justice for the victims of human rights violations.  Those responsible for the grave human rights abuses during the administration of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should be made accountable," said Jiggs Clamor, Karapatan Secretary-General.

PANAGUTIN urged the Ombudsman to file more charges against GMA and her accomplices in high crimes such as plunder and human rights violations.  Cases of plunder on the account of the NBN-ZTE Broadband deal are also pending at the Ombudsman.

"The Ombudsman is in the best position to file another case against Mrs. Arroyo and make sure that she will not escape accountability," said Fr. Joe Dizon PANAGUTIN Convenor, in a statement.

In a dialogue with the Ombudsman last Tuesday, members of the PANAGUTIN Movement appealed for the resolution of cases such as the NBN-ZTE and fertilizer fund plunder cases, and the Manalo vs. Palparan case.

Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB, Fr. Joe Dizon, members of the Concerned Citizens Movement and Bayan were present during the dialogue.

Other members of the PANAGUTIN network include Engr. Jun Lozada, Ms. Bibeth Orteza, Bayan Chair Dr. Carol Araullo, Mrs. Edith Burgos, Mr. Rey Casambre of the Philippine Peace Center, Kasimbayan and Promotion of Church People's Response. ###