“They could have abruptly killed her. If they really had to kill her, they should have at least shown mercy to her by sparing her from all the indignities and torture that she went through but they didn’t. They were not satisfied with just killing her, they wanted more… Whoever killed her simply find it pleasurable to see a young defenseless woman in agony.”
-My thoughts when I heard “the news”
I didn’t know her, I did not even know about her abduction until last Friday when news about her death spread like wildfire in the school where my son studies and where she used to teach. Yet, I believe that Rebelyn Pitao did not deserve the brutality that she suffered from the hands of the criminals who tortured, molested and killed her.
An NPA Leader’s Daughter
Rebelyn is the daughter of Leonardo Pitao aka Kumander Parago, a leader of the NPA and considered an enemy of the state and so, as many of the talks say, made her a target of those who were angry of her father BUT torturing and killing your enemy’s innocent daughter who was trying to live a normal and peaceful life? What kind of criminal attacks the weak and defenseless to terrorize his enemy? Fair play and courage can never define this act.
Not Just a Daughter
The father of Rebelyn is mourning her death but she isn’t just a rebel father’s loss. A younger cousin of my husband who was one of Rebelyn’s pupils in St. Peter’s College of Toril cried when she learned of her teacher’s death. Rebelyn’s co teachers, friends and relatives also mourn of her loss. Indeed whoever killed Rebelyn stabbed the heart of her father but it also ached the hearts of the people whose lives this 20 year old young woman has touched.
Promised Justice
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte reportedly vowed to solve the case and bring justice to the Pitao’s family.I hope justice will indeed be served soon. Davao City alloted 450 Million pesos for peace and order for 2009 alone and it will be a shame if such budget will not help in the arrest of the real criminals behind the death of Rebelyn Pitao. Pending the arrest of these suspects, it will be senseless to continue taking pride in Davao as one of the most peaceful and livable cities in the Philippines.
Related articles:
STATEMENT: NUPL and UPLM on the killing of Rebelyn Pitao
The Rape And Murder Of Rebelyn Pitao, 20
