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Saturday, September 09, 2006
Palparan named Palace counter-insurgency adviser
MANILA -- Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor on Friday announced the appointment of outgoing 7th Infantry Division (ID) commander Jovito Palparan as National Security Council (NSC) deputy for counter-insurgency.
Palparan, who is due to retire on Monday, said after a brief meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacañang that he was caught unaware by Defensor's announcement but he is "happy, I'm always happy except kapag may kaaway ako (when I have foes)."
Defensor informed Palparan about his announcement to which the military official was heard replying "thank you, whatever."
Palparan said he prefers to wait for the official announcement before making any official response but when continuously asked if he is elated by the news, he said he would be happy with whatever job is given to him.
He added he would be happy if given the chance to serve in government after he retires but he is open to returning to the private sector, particularly "in the loving arms of my wife."
He said he would still be involved in the counter-insurgency campaign even if he becomes a "simpleng mamamayan (simple countryman)" which is a title he prefers over the "berdugo (executioner)" tag given to him by militants who have accused him of masterminding the killings of activists in the past.
Palparan said the President did not say if she has a job in mind for him although she did thank him for his long service in the military and hinted that it would be a shame if his skills and long experience would just go to waste.
He said the President had also expressed her regret that she would not be able to attend the change of command ceremony at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio because she'll be in Finland for the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem). (JMR/Sunnex)
(September 9, 2006 issue)
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