In a rare face-to-face debate, party-list representatives and senatorial bets Satur Ocampo and Jovito Palparan confronted each other on Thursday, tackling hotly-contested issues at the Hiritan 2010 segment of GMA’s Unang Hirit. Ocampo, who represents militant group Bayan Muna and a Nacionalista Party senatorial bet, questioned Palparan’s alleged record of human rights violations and extrajudicial killings that targeted activists and insurgents when he was still in active in the military. Specifically, Ocampo underscored a Supreme Court October 2007 ruling that said Palparan had a hand in the abduction and torture of farmers Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo in 2006. But Palparan, who had a reputation of being a “butcher" when he headed the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, denied the accusation. The retired Army major general, who now represents Bantay party-list group, added the Supreme Court’s findings were baseless. "The decision was inconclusive and based on guesses. The investigation had no substance. I deny [any involvement]," Palparan said in Filipino.
Throughout the Hiritan 2010 forum and debate, Palparan took potshots at Ocampo, whom he labeled a communist. Also present at the elections program were senatorial bets Silvestre Bello III and Gwendolyn Pimentel, daughter of Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. Ocampo co-founded the National Democratic Front, an umbrella organization of left and left-leaning groups like the Communist Party of the Philiippines, during the Marcos regime in 1973. He also headed the NDF’s panel negotiating peace with the government during the Aquino administration. Talks between the government and the NDF were suspended in 2004 after the NDF accused Manila of failing to exert efforts to convince the United States and its western allies in removing the CPP-NPA-NDF under their list of terrorist organizations. NPA stands for New People's Army, the CPP's armed wing. On Thursday, Palparan said he wanted to run for senator because he wanted to challenge "communists" Ocampo and Gabriela party-list Rep. Liza Maza. "I want to elevate to the Senate the advocacy of Bantay [party-list]. I also ran because Satur and Liza Maza — these communists — are running. I have to give the people an alternative choice. Instead of them [Ocampo and Maza], maybe the people can vote for me," Palparan said. Palparan likewise questioned why Ocampo does not crack his whip against the NPA rebels who reportedly collect permit-to-campaign fees from candidates campaigning in rebel-influenced areas. "You are a high government official and the CPP look up to you. But why can’t you discipline [the NPA] for its atrocities and its collections from politicians? Why can’t you speak up?" the former military general asked. Ocampo replied that he has no authority over the CPP and the NPA. "I repeat, I do not have any link to the CPP and NPA. If they regard me highly, I can’t do anything about that. It’s not my fault why they regard me highly, but I don’t have any power to tell them to stop," he said. He likewise stressed he does not embody the CPP and the NPA and that Bayan Muna is the only organization he belongs to. "I don’t subscribe to the use of violence… I am not involved with the NPA’s armed activities," Ocampo stressed.
— RSJ, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV 
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