DOJ watch list order vs Palparan extended for 60 days

The Department of Justice has extended the effectivity of the watch list order it issued against retired Major General Jovito Palparan and the other retired and activie military officials linked to the abduction and disappearance of two student activists in 2006. In a three-page order, DOJ Chief State Counsel Ricardo Paras III directed Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David to extend the watch list order for 60 days. The earlier watch list order, issued on July 13, lapsed last September 10. Individuals placed on the Immigration watch list must first seek a government clearance before leaving the country. On the other hand, those who have hold orders issued against them are automatically barred from going abroad. Those on the watch list order Aside from Palparan, those who have watch list orders issued against them are Lt. Col. Rogelio Boac, commanding officer of the 56th Infantry Battalion; Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado, commanding officer of the 24th Infantry Battalion; 2Lt. Francis Mirabelle Samson of the 7th Infantry Division; and retired M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario of the 24th Infantry Battalion. "After a careful evaluation of the application, including the documents attached thereto, for the extension of Watchlist Order (WLO) against the above-named persons filed pursuant to this Department's Circular (DC) No. 41 (Consolidated Rules and Regulations Governing the Issuance and Implementation of Hold Departure Orders, Watchlist Orders, and Allow Departure Orders) dated May 25, 2010, we find the applications meritorious," said the DOJ order. Palparan and his subordinates were accused of committing the following offenses: serious physical injuries, arbitrary detention, maltreatment of prisoners, grave threats, and grave coercion. The complaint was lodged by the mothers of missing University of the Phillippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, who were abducted in June 2006 on suspicion they were communist rebels. Palparan had earlier belittled the issuance of the watch list order against him, saying that he cannot afford to go abroad anyway. "I'm not so much affected. Anyway, I don't have the money to go abroad. So this is fine with me," Palparan told reporters covering a DOJ panel's preliminary investigation hearing into the criminal suit against the former general and his subordinates. — RSJ, GMA News