DAVAO CITY – The death of Rebelyn Pitao early this year was followed with the killing of the father of an NPA commander last November 28, indicating that the military and its deathsquads are still at it: retaliating against the New People’s Army (NPA) by attacking the families of its leaders.
This was the statement made by the Evangeline Pitao, spokesperson of Hustisya-Kabanay and mother of Rebelyn, on the killing of Conrado Canete, resident of Monkayo Compostela Valley and father of the NPA commander Ka Jinggoy.
Caňete, 57 years old, was found dead in Purok 9, Barangay Baylo last November 28 bearing nine gunshot wounds.
Hustisya-Kabanay, an alliance of families of victims under the Arroyo administration, believes that the barbaric death of Caňete is part of the desperate moves of the Arroyo government and its mercenary Armed Forces of the Philippines under the counter insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya 2.
“Ang pagpatay nila kaniadto sa akong anak nga nagtumong aron madakpan ang akong bana, mao usab ang ilang tumong sa pagpatay sa amahan sa NPA commander nga si Jinggoy (They killed my daughter to take my husband into custody; they have the same purpose in killing the father of NPA commander Jinggoy,)” Pitao said.
“Hangtod karon ang mga sibilyan ug ang mga kabanay sa NPA mao ang ginaatake sa pasistang rehimen ni Arroyo pinaagi sa Armed Forces of the Philippines ug uban pang paramilitary groups sa pagtuo nga kini ang makapildi sa ilang kaaway nga mga NPA (Up to now, civilians and relatives of NPA are targets of attacks by the fascist Arroyo regime through the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other paramilitary groups in the belief that it will help them defeat the NPA,” she said.
Canete’s body was found in a dump site in Purok 9, Barangay Baylo.
“Nganong kami? Nganong akong bana ilang gipatay ug gilabay sa basurahan nga susama sa usa ka basura? Wala sila’y kaluoy! Nganong kami nga mga sibilyan ilang apilon sa gubat? (Why us? Why did they kill my husband and throw his body in the trash dump as if it was a piece of garbage! They are merciless! Why do they include civilians in the conflict?),” lamented Babita, wife of Conrado.
Hustisya-Kabanay deems that the human rights of the civilians and even the family members of the NPAs should be respected and must be protected according to the protocols of war and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect to Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law(Carhrihl).
For reference:
Evangeline Pitao
Spokesperson
Landline phone number: 305-08-24
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