Death of rebel leader Kumander Parago confirmed

DAVAO CITY, June 29 -The military affirmed the identity of Leoncio Pitao alias Kumander Parago, 57, one of the rebels who got killed in an encounter with government troops in Barangay Panalum, Paquibato District, 2:30 pm Sunday.

Speaking in a press briefing at the Grand Regal Hotel, Major General Eduardo Ano, commander of the 10th Infantry Division said all indicators confirm that the male cadaver was Pitao’s.

He said his body was identified by former rebels, and residents.

Ano said identifying marks like a scar on the shoulder, dentures and his facial profile also affirm that the body was Leoncio Pitao.

“We are very sure that he was one of the persons on the wanted list,” he said.

Ano also revealed that Pitao carried a bounty on his capture dead or alive.

He said the Task Force Minion, a unit organized to hunt Kumander Parago was responsible for his death.

“It is composed of the 69th IB of the 1003rd Brigade, 6th Scout Ranger Company of the 2nd SR Battalion, selected officer from the 73rd IB, 10th Military Intelligence Battalion and members of the Intelligence Service Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Ano said.

He said good breaks through a series of encounters with Pitao started in June 9, 13, 17 and in June 29 in Purok 9, Barangay Panalum, Paquibato District.

Ano said Pitao joined the rebel movement in 1977 in Davao del Sur, and rose through the ranks as one of the feared leaders of the rebel movement.

He recalled that Pitao was arrested in 2002 and was released to the custody of front organizations before he jumped bail and rejoined the movement until his eventual demise Sunday afternoon.  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)