Lawyer Carlos Isagani Zarate in an earlier interview by davaotoday.com said authorities who apprehended Tipait could have conducted an inquest proceeding on Tipait. This follows in cases where persons are arrested without the benefit of an arrest order.
Evangeline said she was dismayed over the release of Tipait citing that he was involved in the abduction, torture, rape and killing of her 20-year-old daughter.
Sgt. Orly Pedregosa, another suspect named by Kumander Parago, was killed by the NPA on October 25 in Malabog, Paquibato District.
NPA-Southern Mindanao spokesperson of the Regional Political Department Simon Santiago in a statement that Pedregosa was killed for resisting an NPA “arrest.” based on a March 29 an indictment by the NPA “people’s court.”
The Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP), an alliance of human rights advocates led by the religious, has urged the Davao City Council to help in the search for justice for Rebelyn’s rape-slay.
In a statement, EJP said demanding justice for Rebelyn is a “fight worth taking the risk for.”
“Rebelyn’s death signified what’s happening to civilians in this country since the government took on its dirty anti-insurgency war,” the statement said.
EJP pointed out that the death toll of persons killed by military agents on suspicion that they have something to do with the insurgents is on the rise. EJP said Rebelyn’s death is but a reflection of the worsening impunity upon which these crimes are committed.
“Our conviction remains firm,” said the statement. “She was killed because her father is a revolutionary, and this is downright foul.”
EJP also asked the Davao City Council to lead the call for a commitment to uphold International Humanitarian Laws as well as all enabling Philippine laws which delineate civilians from being war targets. (Cheryll D. Fiel/ davaotoday.com)
