The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has closed the book on the death of top New People’s Army (NPA) leader Leoncio Pitao alias “Kumander Parago,” who was killed by soldiers last June 28 along with NPA medic Vanessa Limpag alias “Kyle”, brushing aside accusations that the military violated international laws.
Ano: One rebel refused medical treatment. www.interaksyon.com
Maj. Gen. Eduardo M. Año, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said the military will no longer conduct an investigation on the incident that took place in Paquibato District, a remote part of Davao City.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights Region 11 office said it will only conduct an investigation on the allegations against the AFP if an official complaint supported by facts is filed.
The National Democratic Front, through the NPA-Southern Mindanao Regional Command (NPA-SMRC), has accused the military of violating the Geneva Convention and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law in the deaths of the two rebels.
“The Army has killed a very sick man and an unarmed medic. They have no regard at all for the rules of engagement under the protocols of war,” said NPA-SMRC Spokesperson Rigoberto F. Sanchez in a statement.
Mr. Sanchez claimed that Kumander Parago, who was undergoing treatment for lingering illnesses, was being attended to by Kyle when members of the 6th Scout Ranger Company and 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion under 1st Scout Range Regiment “peppered him with bullets.” He added that Kyle immediately raised her arms and identified herself as a medic.
Mr. Año, on the other hand, asserted that Kumander Parago refused the treatment offered by the military.
“The truth is that Parago’s other companions escaped after the fire fight. They left Parago,” said Captain Alberto C. Caber, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCon).
The AFP officials also assured members of the Davao City council that the P5.6-million reward for the information leading to Pitao’s death will be received by the civilian informant and not the military unit that killed him.
KUMANDER PARAGO’S SON
Meanwhile, the son of Pitao, known as “Kumander Ryan,” is expected to take over the position of his father in the NPA, but the military and the police believe that the death of Kumander Parago has weakened the armed rebel group.
“The NPAs follow the next in line doctrine, but usually there is a vacuum when a rebel dies considering that Parago was a very good planner. This is a big setback for them,” said Captain Ernest Carolina, spokesperson of Task Force Davao (TFD), a combined police and military team based in Davao City.
Sr. Supt. Vicente D. Danao, chief of the Davao City Police Office, said while they are on red alert for possible retaliatory moves from the NPA, they do not expect extreme action considering the courteous relations that Kumander Parago observed with the city and Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.
“I hope the change in leadership will not affect the balance or peaceful coexistence of the police and the NPAs here. I am calling on all rebels to give peace a chance. We have economic programs in the highlands, especially in Paquibato, but we cannot implement if you are there,” Mr. Danao said.
The mayor has asked the AFP to observe a Suspension of Military Operations (SOMO) to allow family and friends to attend Kumander Parago’s wake and interment, scheduled on July 10.
“Davao City is open to everyone for as long as there is no warrant of arrest then they can come down here and they will not be arrested,” TFD Commander Col. Macairog Alberto said.
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=no-more-probes-for-deaths-of-two-rebels&id=110816
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