Who's behind death of Kumander Parago’s daughter?
News on abduction, murder and rape seemed to be normal in our country nowadays. It is happening in any part of the archipelago regardless of the age and family background of the victims. We often hear and read sad stories of how brutally the victims were treated by their assailants and the grief the crime left to the families of the victims. The recent case of Kumander Parago’s daughter in Davao added to the long list of horrible cases where the victim’s families are looking for justice.
Kumander Parago’s daughter 20-year old Rebelyn Pitao was not spared by people with criminal minds. The victim is a teacher at the St. Peter College in Toril, Davao City. She is the second in the five siblings of Evangeline and Leoncio Pitao, Kumander Parago's true name. The victim was abducted by a group of unidentified men while on her way home from school. Many were shocked of the young teacher’s death.
What is more disgusting is there are people who capitalized on Rebelyn’s death to advance their personal interest including the victim’s father. Kumander Parago wants to put justice on his hand with his daughter’s death with a threat to look for the culprits and impose the kind of justice he has on mind.
In which, the top NPA commander in Davao and his group are capable of. Kumander Parago is a notorious leader of Pulang Bagani Command of the New Peoples Army in Mindanao. Kumander Parago must have forgotten his involvement in several kidnappings and atrocities in Davao City putting people’s life in danger and the destruction of properties.
Kumander Parago and his wife were quick in pointing the military as his daughter’s perpetrators and considered Rebelyn’s case as “extra judicial killing.” Pinpointing the military behind the killing and putting justice in his own hands is not guaranteed by any law. They are the groups who always shout for self respect and violation of human rights. Then whose rights will also be violated if one places justice on his hand.
With Kumander Parago’s threat, it is not impossible that the rebels would abduct innocent military to revenge Rebelyn’s death. Chances are great also that those rebels will use the revenge reason to kill soldiers who are innocent about the crime.
It is very clear as of now that they have no evidence to confirm their suspicion, so it is right for them to let the police solve the case for it is sure that someone is going to pay because Rebelyn’s case is a “High Profile Case”.
On the other hand, possibilities are great also that it is not an act of the AFP because if it is really a prejudicial killing -- as accused by the militants to the military -- the military would prefer to kill the rebel himself instead of killing members of his family.
It is a normal thing for the group to immediately accuse the military of such act. It is better for them to keep quiet and refrain from doing such operation. Aside from that, they will only give Kumander Parago and his men a reason to intensify the crimes they are doing in Mindanao. Of course, no soldier likes to fight with the rebels almost everyday.
The way Rebelyn was killed does not much with the so called “pattern” of extrajudicial killings wherein military is accused as the perpetrators. According to research, that kind of murder is quick and mostly would kill directly the target person and not his family members. Rape is not also included as being done to the victims of extrajudicial killings.
If you would believe, Rebelyn’s death is more possibly an act of the rebels themselves because they are the once previously reported doing such act, just like what they did to Ryan Samonte last August 10, 2008 in Bicol. Theresa Magtangol, spoke person of the NPA Nerissa San Juan Command, directly admitted that they have cut Ryan Samonte’s male organ before they killed him.
It is not impossible also that the death of a 20 year old teacher was an ordinary crime only which was done by an addict or a criminal who is until now hanging out freely in Mindanao and still willing and capable to do the same crime to other persons. If the accusation will only run between military and rebels, for sure it will be easier for the real culprit to escape and the case won’t be solved anymore.
The non-stop exchanging of accusations, it is sad that Rebelyn was made a “decoration” in the issue. The story was twisted towards the fight of the military and rebels -- who was stronger and who’s going to win, the story was already used to intensify the anti- Gloria campaign of the militants and the demand of ousting Arroyo from presidency.
The story was being used also by some politicians to beautify their public image for 2010, and because of this, the case was twisted from identifying the real culprit.
Who is the real culprit anyway?