The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Davao Region will resume its investigation on the rape-slay of Rebelyn Pitao, the daughter of Leoncio Pitao, also known as Kumander Parago, commander of the Pulang Bagani Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) to gather more pieces of evidence for the possible filing of cases.
SIPACO: Lacking evidence
Atty. Alberto Sipaco, CHR regional director, said the three public inquiries conducted by the commission en banc in 2009 failed to gather hard evidence that warrants the filing and prosecution of cases against possible respondents.
He said CHR Davao has been tasked to continue the investigation by the CHR en banc.
“The pieces of evidence (previously)gathered were not enough,” he said.
Sipaco said the CHR plans to invite certain members of the Military Intelligence Battalion.
REBELYN CODE
nearing completion
A proposed Davao City ordinance adding more strength to national legislation on human rights protection is on its final dash to completion.
We are now finalizing the draft of the ordinance before submission to the City Council for approval, said Councilor Karlo Bello, chair of the committee on human rights.
The ordinance known as the Rebelyn Code is named after Rebelyn Pitao, daughter of Leoncio “Ka Parago” Pitao, the head of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) First Pulang Bagani Command.
Rebelyn, a high school teacher, was seized by unidentified persons two years ago while going home from school to their residence in a subdivision in Davao City. Her mutilated body would later be found dumped in an irrigation canal in Carmen, Davao del Norte. Parago claimed military agents were behind the murder. Medical findings also showed Rebelyn was raped before being killed.
The provisions have to be carefully crafted to ensure that it is capable of effective implementation and would not run contrary to an existing national law or be deemed a duplication, said Bello in the I-Speak forum of the City Hall information office. RMB
BY ROGER M. BALANZA
PUBLISHED IN THE DURIAN POST NO. 88
THE DURIAN POST 