"The Armed Forces of the Philippines has nothing to be proud of killing Leoncio “Ka Parago” Pitao, commander of the New People’s Army who was sick and weak; and Vanessa “Ka Kyle” Limpag, a medical staff of the NPA. It’s not a feather in the AFP’s cap. If at all, it’s another “medalla de horror” in its long list of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law," Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay told Gen. Eduardo Ano, head of 10th Infantry Division and Gen. Aurelio Baladad, head of the Eastern Mindanao Command.
"The Armed Forces of the Philippines has nothing to be proud of killing Leoncio “Ka Parago” Pitao, commander of the New People’s Army who was sick and weak; and Vanessa “Ka Kyle” Limpag, a medical staff of the NPA. It’s not a feather in the AFP’s cap. If at all, it’s another “medalla de horror” in its long list of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law," Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay told Gen. Eduardo Ano, head of 10th Infantry Division and Gen. Aurelio Baladad, head of the Eastern Mindanao Command.
"Based on reports we received from Karapatan-Southern Mindanao Region, Pitao was undergoing medical treatment when the 69th Infantry Battalion caught up with him. Pitao was already wounded and Limpag was unarmed when soldiers finished them off," Palabay said.
The slain commander had diabetes, hepatitis, hyperthyroidism; and a back injury he got when he escaped from a military raid on June 9.
On June 28, members of the 69th Infantry Battalion and Scout Rangers surrounded the area where Pitao was. Pitao told his comrades to leave him behind and run away for their own safety and survival. Limpag, who was attending to Pitao’s ailments, decided to stay with him. Limpag was unarmed.
In a 20-minute exchange of fire, Pitao was hit first in the abdomen, and fell to the ground. Kyle then raised her arms in surrender and shouted at the soldiers, "Medikal ko! Ayaw ninyo tiwasi kay masakiton siya!" (I’m a medic! Don’t finish him off! He is ill.) Limpag was shot in the back and right foot. The soldiers then approached Pitao and finished him off. Before he died, he managed to shout "Mabuhay ang rebolusyon ug ang katawhang kabus! (Long live the revolution and the poor people!).
"Shortly after, no less than Gen. Eduardo Ano, commanding officer of the 10th ID and Gen. Aurelio Baladad, commanding officer of the Eastern Mindanao Command came as if to collect their trophies," Palabay said.
Pitao was Karapatan’s client when he was arrested in 1999. Ten years later, in 2009, Karapatan also campaigned for justice for Rebelyn, Pitao’s 20-year-old daughter, who was raped and murdered by elements of the AFP.
"We give our respect to Leoncio Pitao for the life spent to serve and defend the poor peasants and Lumad from the oppressive policies of six regimes, from Marcos to BS Aquino, and the exploitation of big businesses. The state’s savagery against his daughter intended to make him bend to their will, but failed miserably. This should serve as a lesson to repressive governments—that unless the roots of the armed conflict are addressed, killing revolutionaries would only further expose the bankruptcy of the system they represent and perpetuate," Palabay said.
"He may be the government’s enemy but to the people he served and lived with, Pitao fought for their rights, he was a defender," Palabay concluded. ###