MANILA, Philippines — The advocacy group Promotion of Church People’s Response decried Monday the decision of a court in Bulacan to place retired Major General Jovito Palparan in the custody of the Philippine Army instead of the provincial jail, saying it was a display of military dominance over civilian authority.

“Also, it shows the explicit enjoyment of General Palparan of the special treatment given to him by the Aquino administration,” said PCPR general secretary Nardy Sabino in a statement.

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He demanded that instead of providing security to a violator, the government must move to protect human rights victims and their families.

“We demand that security be given to the human rights victims and their family and not to the violators…. Let justice roll like flowing river and righteousness like a never ending stream,” he added.

Palparan, who was called “The Butcher” by political activists, was arrested in a house in Sta. Mesa, Manila last month after more than two years in hiding.

The former commander of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division is standing trial at the Malolos Regional Trial Court in connection with the disappearance of UP students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, who were last seen in Hagonoy town in Bulacan in June 2006.

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