NPA rebs vow to avenge death of leader's daughter

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Communist rebels on Wednesday vowed to seek justice for the brutal murder of the daughter of one of their leaders. Rebelyn Pitao, 20, was abducted in Davao City in the southern Philippines last March 4. Her naked body was found the next day floating in a shallow creek in the village of San Isidro in Davao del Norte’s Carmen town. Pitao's body bore torture marks and was believed raped before she was stabbed in the chest. New People's Army (NPA) rebels believe she was summarily executed by government soldiers. Pitao, a teacher by profession, was the daughter of Leoncio Pitao, also known as Kumander Parago, head of the New People’s Army (NPA) Pulang Bagani Command. “Today we are remembering Rebelyn on the 40th day of her violent death. We grieve her passing and are united in fighting for justice for a beloved daughter, friend and teacher. With the same purpose, we are also fighting for justice for all victims of state terrorism under Gloria Arroyo," he said. Some 3,000 people joined the funeral march for Pitao, many were chanting anti-government slogan. The Army’s 10th Infantry Division and the Eastern Mindanao Command have repeatedly denied the involvement of soldiers in the murder. Police also put up Task Force Rebelyn to look into the killing. Mr. Pitao, however, said the police task force is insignificant. “Its sole purpose is to do the bidding of the criminal Arroyo regime. It has only proven the public perception that it was hastily set up to instantly absolve the criminal agents of the 10th Infantry Division-Eastern Mindanao Command for masterminding and executing Rebelyn's abduction, torture, rape and murder," he said. The NPA has ordered the arrest of all those involved in the killing of the woman while the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) also held President Arroyo and the military responsible for the murder. - Al Jacinto, GMANews.TV