Duterte condoles with kin of slain NPA commander

From Rappler (Jun 29): Duterte condoles with kin of slain NPA commander

The Davao City mayor warned of possible retaliation from the New People's Army   



‘MOST WANTED’ NPA LEADER. 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion commander Leoncio 'Ka Parago’ Pitao (R) is seen sharing a light moment with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (L). File photo by Karlos Manlupig/Rappler

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte condoled with the family of fallen top New People's Army (NPA) commander Leoncio Pitao, better known as "Kumander Parago."

"I will help his family in whatever way I can because I know he is a family man," Duterte told reporters on Monday, June 29, before convening the City Peace and Order Council.

"My relationship with Parago is a different one. We are friends. I don't know with the new leader, lets just be ready and we are ready and maybe Kumander Ryan, his son will be the next in line," Duterte added.

The news of Pitao's death reached his wife, Evangeline, through Duterte's executive assistant.

Pitao along with a female companion identified by police sources Kyle Limpas, who is believed to be his medical aide, were killed in Purok 9, Barangay Pañalum, Paquibato District Sunday afternoon (READ: NPA commander killed in Davao)

Duterte ordered the transfer of Pitao's remains from the Rivera Funeral Home to the Cosmopolitan funeral parlor.

A more brutal successor?

The Philippine military said the death of Mindanao's oldest and most wanted NPA commander, who had a P5.6-million bounty on his head, will translate to a weaker communist movement in the region.

Duterte disagreed, however. "I asked the military, the police, the government and everyone to be ready. After his death a new leader is expected to shine."

Duterte also warned of a possible retaliation from the NPA rebels.

Pitao's son, whom he said could take his father's place in the movement, is in his early 30s. He is known to be more brutal that than his father.

"Mas isog na siya kaysa iyang papa, ug mas brutal, sya man ang nanimalos pagkamatay sa iya manghud nga si Rebelyn (Ryan is more aggressive than his father, more brutal, he revenged over the death of his younger sister Rebelyn)," said a source.

Still, Duterte assured Davao City residents that peace and order will not be affected by possible retaliation attack from the NPA.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/97863-duterte-condoles-npa-commander-death