The Philippine Online Chronicles

Retired major general Jovito Palparan sent surrender feelers to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) through “emissaries” a week after he went into hiding, according to various reports.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said on Tuesday that they have received surrender feelers from Palparan, who is indicted along with other military personnel for the abduction of two University of the Philippines students in 2006.

“Meron din kaming tinatanggap na surrender feelers. Meron din po kaming nakakausap, but of course, ang mga ito po ay laging binibigyan ng consideration (We have also received surrender feelers. We are also talking to an emissary, but of course, these are all up for consideration),” Bartolome said, adding that Palparan wants to be assured of his safety and security if he surrenders.

"Ang kanilang (emissaries) sinasabi is mapangalagaan naming mabuti (ang kaligtasan ni Palparan). Syempre kahit sino po na may ganitong kaso, ang gusto nila safe ang kanilang condition. Yun lang naman ang inaassure namin sa kanila, that they will be properly secured also kasi lahat pwedeng bigyan ng ganun (What they are saying is for us to secure him. Of course, whoever is facing such a case will want to make sure they are safe. That is the only thing we can assure them, that they will be properly secured because anyone is entitled to this)," the PNP chief said in an Interaksyon.com report.

The PNP’s confirmation of talking with Palparan’s emissaries came a day after DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed receiving surrender feelers from the retired general, who is tagged by activists as “The Butcher” for his alleged role in extrajudicial killings.

Palparan is charged with kidnapping and illegal detention after a Bulacan regional trial court issued a warrant for his arrest last week in connection with the disappearance of UP students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan. Right before the release of the arrest warrant, immigration officials foiled his attempt to escape the country in Clark airport.

Secretary De Lima said on Monday that she believes Palparan is still in the country as he sent surrender feelers, adding however that there is no indication of the exact date of the surrender.

A report by abs-cbnnews.com said Palparan may surrender to his former colleagues at the Armed Forces of the Philippines, citing sources by a local radio station.

In the latest development, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo announced a P500,000 bounty for any information leading to the arrest of Palparan.

Meanwhile, an alliance calling for Palparan’s arrest is urging netizens to support the “People’s Manhunt” for the retired general by putting up the “Wanted: Palparan” poster.

“All netizens are enjoined to post this poster on their profiles to make known to Internet users the face and name of this notorious human rights violator and seek information on his whereabouts to cause his immediate arrest,” the End Impunity Alliance said in a report.