By Communist Party of the Philippines
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) condemns in the strongest possible terms the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the abduction, rape and murder of Rebelyn Pitao, 20, daughter of Leoncio "Ka Parago" Pitao, head of the Pulang Bagani Command of the New People's Army in the Southern Mindanao Region.
The CPP extends its deepest sympathies to Ka Parago and his entire family for their loss.
Rebelyn's body was found early last night floating in a river in Carmen town, Davao del Norte. There are signs that she was sexually molested before being killed. She was abducted by armed men around 6 pm the day before while on her way home in Sitio Bago Aplaya, Barangay Talomo, Davao City. She just recently passed the national teacher's board examination and was set to teach at the St. Peter's School in Toril, Davao City.
The AFP has no justification at all for abducting, molesting and murdering Ka Parago's daughter Rebelyn. By killing Rebelyn, the AFP has committed a grave violation of international humanitarian law and rules of war, which gives foremost protection to those not taking part in the armed conflict.
Rebelyn's murder and the barbarities committed against her are undoubtedly part of the dirty war being carried out by the AFP under Oplan Bantay Laya 2. Because of the "invisibility" of the guerrillas of the New People's Army and in a desperate attempt to retaliate for its losses in the theater of war, the AFP has been viciously targeting unarmed civilians and has now accelerated its fascist attacks against the loved ones and relatives of revolutionaries. Fascist troops of the AFP were likewise responsible for the murder of Ka Parago's brother Danilo, who was killed in June 2008 in Tagum City.
Ka Parago is being singled out by the AFP because of the string of battlefield victories of the Pulang Bagani Command, which he leads. The NPA in the Southern Mindanao Region where the Pulang Bagani Command operates has successfully carried out hundreds of tactical offensives in the past several years, dealing innumerable blows to the enemy.
The Filipino people and their revolutionary forces unite in expressing their indignation at this abominable crime carried out by the fascist elements of the AFP, particularly of the forces of the Philippine Army's 10th ID and the paramilitary and vigilante groups under its command.
Rebelyn's murder is a craven and barbarous act. The revolutionary movement will not relent until justice is served on her murderers and all other violators of human rights.
