Press Release
March 5, 2010

Protest rally and vigil marks first anniversary of Rebelyn's death, Ka Parago calls for revolutionary justice

Davao City — Eight Thousand farmers, lumad, urban poor, teachers, women and youth flocked from Freedom Park to Rizal Park today (March 5) to demand justice for the murder of Rebelyn Pitao and all victims of political killings.

Rebelyn, daughter of known NPA commander, Leoncio ‘Ka Parago’ Pitao, was abducted, raped and brutally murdered March 5 last year by suspected intelligence agents belonging to the 10th Infantry Division of the AFP.

The protest rally led by KARAPATAN, Hustisya and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-SMR) expressed outrage over the inutility of Task Force Rebelyn formed by the Davao City Police Office last year to investigate the gruesome murder.

“Like the more than one thousand cases of political killings in the country, justice remains elusive to the families of the victims because we strongly believe that the Arroyo administration and its military men thru the framework of its Oplan Bantay Laya are behind the killings,” said Kelly Delgado, Secretary General of KARAPATAN-SMR.

Delgado added, “The false charges, harassment and other crimes perpetrated against activists, their families and innocent civilians are even more rising and we see no hope with this government.”

The mother of Rebelyn, Evangeline Pitao expressed that her quest for justice for her daughter extends to all families of victims of human rights abuses.

She recalled some sleepless nights reminiscing the memories with her daughter whom she described as “meek, caring and compassionate daughter.”

Pitao now serves as the spokesperson of Hustisya in Southern Mindanao.

Pitao welcomed the recently approved Resolution of the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Davao City which recognized their plight and upheld the International Humanitarian Law--a law that respects the rights of noncombatants during armed conflict, including the families of known revolutionary leaders like Ka Parago.

“We commend the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Davao City for upholding the human rights thru this resolution, and respects the rights of the victims of human rights abuses. This is not only for my daughter but also for all freedom and human rights defenders,” said Evangeline.

A vigil for Rebelyn was also held yesterday night at Bankerohan. The event was attended by two thousand contingents where activist solons and Nacionalista-Makabayan senatoriable candidates Ka Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza both expressed condemnation and demand justice for Rebelyn's murder.

Both Ocampo and Maza are authors of the Anti-Torture Law.

In a protest rally in Rizal Park, Rebelyn Pitao’s father, NPA commander Leoncio “Ka Parago Pitao, in a phone patch urged the military not to harm the civilians. He said “ dili hilabtan ang mga sibilyan, kung gusto nila naa ra mi diri sa bukid, dili lang nila hilabtan ang mga sibilyan”.

Ka Parago added “ Kinahanglan ihatag ang rebolusyunaryong hustisya sa tanang biktima”.

The phone patch was applauded by thousands of rallyists who were shouting “HUSTISYA alang sa tanang biktima! Hustisya kang Rebelyn Pitao.##


For reference:
Kelly Delgado
Secretary general KARAPATAN-SMR
0920-350-0069
 

Joint Statement
March 4, 2010

We, from Hustisya, Karapatan and Exodus for Justice and Peace remain dauntless in pursuing and winning the fights for the respect and protection of human rights. It can be recalled that exactly a year ago, march 5, 2009, we were shocked with the news about the gruesome death of Rebelyn Pitao, the daughter of NPA commander Leoncio Pitao a.k.a. “Kumander Parago”. The killing was not a simple murder case. It was brutal and unpardonable in the sense that she was crushed mentally, emotionally, and physically to death. As the autopsy of her dead body would prove, she was raped and tortured before she was killed.

What could be the reasons for the killing of Rebelyn Pitao are the truths we rightfully have to know. There were allegations and denials made in our search for truth. In as far the results of the investigations conducted by DCPO’s Task Force Rebelyn, the case was a simple crime which up to now remains unresolved. Much has been heard, yet, nothing has been done. The agonies of Rebelyn’s family, friends, and co-teachers are prolonging. To this day, we mourn for the death of the justice system in our country. We condemn the culture of impunity which our own government have perpetuated. We fear that thousands more innocent civilians will be made to suffer from the brunt of violence and state-sponsored injustices.

Our conviction is firm and we see no other intention for the killing of Rebelyn Pitao. She was killed because her father is a revolutionary. A situation out of her control, neither a life she has chosen for herself. For sure, if options were real, she would have wanted to live a normal life with her family and co-exist in a society where there is justice and equality. But so saddening, all her dreams were wasted and the justice, which at the very least her family deserves, is denied of them up to now.

We fear all the more for ourselves and for every civilian of our country seeing how dangerous the state of human rights is worsening in our midst. There are laws that uphold basic human rights, yet, they are blatantly violated and such have become systemic.

We take the risk of fighting against state violence in our society, of siding with the truth, and standing up for the oppressed and defenceless. We shall be untiring and brave to claim for justice for the death of Rebelyn Pitao and all victims of political killings and harassments. We urge the members of the City Council of Davao, the local government units, and all human rights advocates to unite for a commitment to uphold the International Humanitarian Law, Republic Act No. 9851 or the “Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and other Crimes Against Humanity”, and all enabling laws for the respect and protection of human rights.

Above all, we call on every Davaoeño to be vigilant and to respect our right to a peaceful life and pursue justice.
Justice for Rebelyn Pitao!
Justice for all the victims of political killings and harassment!
Uphold International Humanitarian Law!
Uphold Republic Act No. 9851!