AFP denies involvement in murder of rebel leader's daughter
03/10/2009 | 10:43 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The military on Tuesday denied it has something to do with last week’s abduction and subsequent murder of a communist leader’s 20-year-old daughter in southern Philippines.
Armed Forces Civil Relations Service chief Brig. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan said the victims of the atrocities committed by New People’s Army (NPA) leader Leoncio Pitao alias Kumander Parago could be behind the murder of Rebelyn Pitao.
“There are a thousand and one groups that are angry at Parago,” Pangilinan said.
Parago is the head of the NPA’s Pulang Bagani Command.
Unidentified men snatched Rebelyn, a teacher, last Wednesday in Davao City. Her body was found the next day in Carmen town in Davao del Norte with multiple stab wounds.
Leftist organizations have blamed the military for the incident. Pitao himself has named at least four suspects in his daughter’s murder. They were Sgt. Adan Sulao and, Cpl. Alvin Bitang, both military men based in the region; and military assets Ben Tipait and one identified only as Pedragosa.
Pangilinan said among the atrocities committed by Pitao’s unit were murder and the destruction of private properties including plantations and construction firms.
“There are scores of people they’ve killed so we are not the only party who should be blamed for that” Pangilinan said.
Pitao’s group was also responsible for the kidnapping of Army Brig. Gen. Victor Obillo and his aide, Maj. Eduardo Montealto, in February 1999 in Baguio City. The two were released weeks later upon negotiations by non-government organizations. - GMANews.TV
Armed Forces Civil Relations Service chief Brig. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan said the victims of the atrocities committed by New People’s Army (NPA) leader Leoncio Pitao alias Kumander Parago could be behind the murder of Rebelyn Pitao.
“There are a thousand and one groups that are angry at Parago,” Pangilinan said.
Parago is the head of the NPA’s Pulang Bagani Command.
Unidentified men snatched Rebelyn, a teacher, last Wednesday in Davao City. Her body was found the next day in Carmen town in Davao del Norte with multiple stab wounds.
Leftist organizations have blamed the military for the incident. Pitao himself has named at least four suspects in his daughter’s murder. They were Sgt. Adan Sulao and, Cpl. Alvin Bitang, both military men based in the region; and military assets Ben Tipait and one identified only as Pedragosa.
Pangilinan said among the atrocities committed by Pitao’s unit were murder and the destruction of private properties including plantations and construction firms.
“There are scores of people they’ve killed so we are not the only party who should be blamed for that” Pangilinan said.
Pitao’s group was also responsible for the kidnapping of Army Brig. Gen. Victor Obillo and his aide, Maj. Eduardo Montealto, in February 1999 in Baguio City. The two were released weeks later upon negotiations by non-government organizations. - GMANews.TV
