A high-ranking official of the New People's Army was killed in a military operation in Davao City, the Army 10th Infantry Division said Sunday.
According to Maj. Gen. Eduardo Año, Leonardo Pitao, also known as Kumander Parago, was killed in a firefight with a military task force in Barangay Panyalom in the city's Paquibato district on Sunday afternoon.
He said Pitao was the commander of the Pulang Bagani Command 1.
"Ito yung pinakamatigas, pinakasikat na PBC sa buong Davao region na nago-operate sa bundok ng Davao City at saka kaunting part ng Davao Norte," he said.
Año said Pitao and a female NPA fighter were killed after a series of encounters over the past two weeks. He said the task force, which included infantry and special forces, had been going after Pitao.
Pitao was with around 10 others, including members of his security detail and other NPA officers, Año said.
"Talagang ito yung ginawan natin ng focus, kasi 17 warrants ito e. Si Parago, very notorious talaga," he said.
He added that Pitao's death "is the end of the NPA here in the Davao region, particularly in the area of Davao City and Davao Norte". He said there are around 650 to 700 NPA members in the Davao region, of whom around 100 are with Pulang Bagani Command 1.
He said Pitao was behind the abduction of Brig. Gen. Victor Obillo of the the 55th Engineering Brigade, who was seized by NPA fighters in Davao City in 1999, and behind attacks and killings since then.
Obillo and his aide were released after two weeks of negotiations.
Obillo and his aide were released after two weeks of negotiations.
The military recovered two M16 rifles and three rifle grenades after the encounter.
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