DAVAO CITY – The slain New People’s Army commander Parago Sandoval, whose real name is Leoncio Pitao, will be buried on July 10.
His wife, Evangeline, announced the date on Wednesday at the wake at Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes here.
In a statement Thursday, Ka Simon Santiago, NPA political director, said they call on friends and acquaintances to pay their last respect to Ka Parago.
Parago was killed together with NPA medic, Vanessa Limpag in a raid by the Army’s Task Force Minion on Sunday afternoon in Barangay Panalum, Paquibato District. Limpag’s remains were taken by his father to Zamboanga on Wednesday night.
Santiago said the two “have served the masses with all their hearts and have given their lives to the cause of national democratic revolution.”
Santiago also said they are condoling with Parago’s family “who have endured the travails of being members of a family of a famous Red fighter.”
“They have been constantly maligned, harassed and subjected to many atrocities by the military, including the horrific death of their young daughter/sibling Rebelyn. We salute your courage in your devotion to Ka Parago and the path that he had taken,” said Santiago.
Meanwhile, the Army said they are prepared for any NPA retaliation. Major General Eduardo Año of the 10th Infantry Division said they also urge the other NPA fighters to surrender.
The Army also said that the NPA’s will be in a leadership crisis with the death of Parago.
However, Santiago said “as long as the basic problems of our people remain, the people’s war continues.”
“Ka Parago may have been gone but a thousand Ka Parago have risen,” Santiago said. (davaotoday.com)
