Statement of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict Legal Cooperation Cluster

PCOO Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy interviewed retired army General Jovito Palparan (Gen. Palparan) on March 30, 2022 in SMNI Laban Kasama ang Bayan (LAKAB), a television program aired for the purpose of broadcasting uncompromising truth. The interview delved into the pressing issue of communist insurgency which has been plaguing the country for more than five decades.

But as expected, communist supporters would react ever quickly and negatively to the government's relentless effort to expose the lies and deception of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), designated terrorist organizations. One of these sympathizers active in hurling insults to the government's noble pursuits is National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL), represented by its President, Atty. Edre Olalia (Atty. Olalia) who, in a news statement, questioned why Gen. Palparan was allowed to give media interview, and whether the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the court which convicted Gen. Palparan were aware of it.

Accordingly, on March 31, 2022, the DOJ announced that it would conduct an inquiry on how Gen. Palparan was interviewed on SMNI sans the knowledge and conformity of the court.

The protestation of Atty. Olalia is clearly misplaced while the planned inquiry of the DOJ would certainly result in a finding that the questioned interview was in accord with prevailing rules, legal precepts and jurisprudence.

Under Republic Act (R.A) No. 10575, or the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013, it is the policy of the State to promote the general welfare and safeguard the basic rights of every prisoner incarcerated in our national penitentiary. To this end, the Bucor is charged with the safekeeping of national inmates.

Consistently, the Supreme Cour