By Joyce Pangco Pañares

A RETIRED general referred to by his left-wing critics as the “Butcher of Mindoro” has been appointed to the Dangerous Drugs Board as part of President Arroyo’s government revamp.

Jovito Palparan joins the board at a time when the President, who has recently named herself anti-drug czar, has renewed her efforts to curb drug use particularly among the young.

At a briefing yesterday, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita also said former National Police chief Arturo Lomibao would remain head of the National Counter-Terrorism Action Group after he declined an appointment to lead the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Ermita also said Alberto Suansing would keep his post as Land Transportation Office chief, despite his appointment as undersecretary for the maritime sector, under the Transportation Department.

Suansing replaced Elena Bautista who was appointed head of the Maritime Industry Authority after Marina administrator Vicente Suazon Jr. resigned in September.

Lomibao’s decision to stay in his job means Thompson Lantion keeps his post at the franchising and regulatory board.

Also yesterday, Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales announced that retired police Gen. Nestorio Gualberto will return as head of the bureau’s enforcement and security service, a critical unit in the government’s anti-smuggling campaign.

Gualberto replaces Nicasio Radovan Jr., who will be transferred to the monitoring unit under the Office of the Commissioner.

Before his retirement in 2006, leftist groups had linked Palparan to more than 500 cases of human rights abuse, mainly summary executions and disappearances, during his stints as commander of the 24th Infantry Battalion in Central Luzon, 204th Infantry Battalion in Mindoro and Romblon, and 8th Infantry Division in Samar and Leyte.

In 2007, Palparan ran and lost for a seat in Congress under the party list. With Joel E. Zurbano