AFP MIG AGENTS TAGGED IN TEACHER'S KILLING (tags)
The leader of the NPA in Mindanao has accused four agents of the Military Intelligence Group (MIG) of the armed forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command of perpetrating the torture and murder of his daughter. Leoncio Pitao, alias Commander Parago of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Southern Mindanao, said his daughter, Rebelyn, 20 and an elementary school teacher, was abducted, tortured and murdered by the four MIG agents. Pitao identified the four in an interview in his hideout somewhere in Paquibato District as Ben Tipait, Aldan Sulao, Helvin Bitang and Pedring Pedregosa.
NDF CONDEMNS PITAO MURDER IN MINDANAO (tags)
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines condemns in the strongest terms the abduction and brutal murder of 20-year-old Rebelyn Pitao, daughter of Lencio Pitao, Commander of the New People's Army. We hold Mrs. Gloria Arroyo and Executive Secretary, General Eduardo Ermita responsible for this dastardly violation of Rebelyn Pitao's right to life. It is likewise a blatant violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
'Lumad' families flee military operations in Davao Oriental (tags)
At least 410 "lumad" (indigenous) families or 2,500 people from several towns in Davao Oriental were forced to leave their homes in the past two weeks following intensified government operations against communist New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas, a human rights group said on Sunday. Of those who fled, 330 families came from the hinterland villages of San Victor and Kampawan in Baganga, Karapatan reported. Those living in the outskirts of San Victor sought refuge in the village center while those in Kampawan went to Barangay (Village) Lambajon.
Karahasang Militar Lumalala: Lider ng KMP, inaresto; pastor, pinatay ng militar (tags)
Kabilang sa mga karumal-dumal na krimen ng rehimeng Arroyo nitong nakaraang mga linggo ang pagpaslang sa isang pastor ng UCCP sa Leyte at pagpatay sa isang aktibista sa Bohol. Sa kanayunan ng Tagum, nagpapatuloy ang sapilitang paglikas ng mga residente dahil sa matitinding operasyong sa kanilang mga lugar. Sa Maynila, mahigit 80,000 residente ang mawawalan ng tirahan dahil sa proyektong riles. Sa Negros, inaresto ang isang lider ng KMP, at sa Palawan, dalawang pinaghihinalaang myembro ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) ang dinukot ng militar. Isa ring lider-masa sa Cebu ang dinukotat dalawang araw na itinago ng militar bago siya makatakas.
Esperon, other officials say Davao prison warned of NPA raid (tags)
Officers of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte had been warned of a possible assault by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, Armed forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and other security officials disclosed yesterday. This came after media sources reported that an NPA band led by Mindanao Regional Guerrilla Unit-Pulang Bagani Command commander Leonardo Pitao ransacked the armory of the penal farm and took over 100 guns in a pre-dawn raid on Easter Sunday. The guerrillas carted away 50 M-16 and carbine rifles, 46 shotguns and seven pistols from the prison armory after disarming four guards, police said. They did not attempt to free any of the about 4,000 convicted criminals detained in the prison complex during the 20-minute raid that was staged without a shot being fired, police said, adding there were no injuries.