DAVAO CITY – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte visited the first night of the wake of fallen New People’s Army commander Leoncio “Ka Parago” Pitao to pay his last respects.Duterte said he wants a temporary “ceasefire” during the wake of Parago.”As respect to the dead, lets have a ceasefire. I can advise those from the government (to implement it) and I am telling you now,” he said.He assures those who want to view Parago’s wake that they “will not be arrested as long as they have no standing warrants.”
Duterte said he told the Army and the police “to always respect those who fight for their principles.”
The former NPA commander was killed in a military raid in Purok 9, Barangay Panalum in Paquibato District here on Sunday afternoon.
(Read related story: NPA confirms death of Ka Parago)
Duterte arrived at a Davao City funeral home where Ka Parago and Vanessa Limpag aka Ka Kyle, said to be Parago’s medical aide, was laid at 10 pm.
Duterte took a minute with the man he calls “a friend who considers me a friend” and then went to condole with Ka Parago’s wife, Evangeline. Among those who also visited Ka Parago were former Davao City Police Director Vicente Danao and Task Force Davao chief, Macairog Alberto.
Duterte calls Parago as a “warrior, a fighter.”(davaotoday.com)
Read more: Parago vowed never to be captured alive
