From ABS-CBN (Jun 29): NPA commander killed in firefight
A high-ranking member of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed in a firefight with members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 10th Infantry Division in Davao City Saturday afternoon, a military official said.
Maj. Gen. Eduardo Año, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said Leonardo Pitao, alias Commander Parago, commander of the Pulang Bagani Command 1, along with a cohort, were slain by composite military elements, including the elite Army Scout Ranger soldiers, infantry soldiers and intelligence personnel, during a combat operation in Purok 9, barangay Panalum in Pacquibato district following a 20-minute firefight that broke out around 2:30 p.m.
"We just killed Parago," Año said in a phone interview.
The official described Pitao's command as the "fiercest" among the NPA units operating in the Davao region.
Pitao was tagged for numerous atrocities in the Davao region, including the kidnapping of Army Brig. Gen. Victor Obillo, commander of the Army’s 55th Engineering Brigade, and his aide, Maj. Eduardo Montealto, in Pacquibato District in Davao City in February 1999.
"This is the end of the NPA here in the Davao region, particularly in the area of Davao City and Davao del Norte," said Año.
Pitao's command is composed of around 80 to 100 men and is operating in Davao City and Davao del Norte.
"He is idolized by the NPAs here. Now, they just saw that their leader cannot run and escape the fold of the law. The long arm of the law has finally caught him. This is a big setback on them, not just a setback but this is going to be what you call the fall of the NPA in the Davao region," said Año.
The military recovered the bodies of Pitao and the other member at the encounter site. Also recovered were two M-16 rifles, three rifle grenades, and the rebels' personal belongings.
Año said the military launched a "special" operation against Pitao two weeks ago. Saturday's incident was the fourth time the military clashed with Pitao's group.
"He was our focus. Parago has 17 (arrest) warrants, he is really very notorious," said Año, referring to the slain NPA leader. "Almost all rebel attacks, ambuscades, killing of civilians were done by the rebels upon his orders," he also said.
http://rp1.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/28/15/npa-commander-killed-firefight
If the reported death of Kumander Parago (Leoncio Pitao) is true, then this is a major blow for the NPA in the Davao City area especially in Paquibato District, that was his stronghold for so many years.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I think there was a longstanding personal relationship between Rodrigo Duterte, the controversial mayor of Davao City and Parago that worked to the benefit of the NPA. With Parago out of the picture, one has to wonder if Duterte;s relationship with the communists will be the same.