The attendance of an estimated 10,000 individuals in the funeral march of a fallen rebel commander is a “reflection” of the New Peoples Army’s strength of its mass base here, a prominent militant leader said.
Leaders of lumad (indigenous people) evacuees from Davao del Norte province appeal to authorities that they be allowed to protest for their rights after support groups assisting them were charged with violations of Republic Act (RA) 267 or Kidnapping, Serious Illegal Detention and Anti-trafficking in persons Act.
The tribute program for fallen New People's Army commander Leoncio "Ka Parago" Pitao opened with a song themed with what has been a monicker of communist guerillas, that they are "soldiers of the poor."
The Davao City Police Office said on Thursday that comrades of New People's Army commander Leoncio Pitao alias Ka Parago are welcome to attend his burial so long as they are unarmed and will not bring placard that insults the government.
An official of this city's Emergency Response's Central 911 said on Thursday that the city has improved in terms of preparation for disasters and calamities.