Bataan police hunting down fugitive Gen. Jovito Palparan

BALANGA CITY, BATAAN - The Bataan police created three teams to hunt down retired Major General Jovito Palparan after receiving information that the former Army officer was sighted in three towns in the province.   Senior Supt. Arnold Gunnacao, Bataan police director, said operatives are verifying the reports that Palparan was seen in Bagac then in Morong, both mountain towns close to the South China Sea.   On Thursday, Gunnacao received a message that Palparan was seen in Abucay, Bataan the base then of the 24^th Infantry Battalion that Palparan headed as brigade commander. “After analyzing the report, hindi ito malayo sa katotohanan at very probable dahil maraming accomplishment sa Bataan si General Palparan.  Marami siyang natulungan dito matapos siyang mag-recruit ng mga informers at mga katulong laban sa insurgency noon,” Gunnacao told reporters during the blessing of a police building. “We have to confirm this first and we cannot release their names yet for operational security,” he added.   Gunnacao said the owners of the houses or places where Palparan was said to have stayed could be held liable for the crime of harboring a criminal. —  with reports from Mark Merueñas, Ernie Esconde, VVP, GMA News