By Lorie A. Cascaro
It’s been three years since Rebelyn Pitao, a 20-year old teacher and daughter of revolutionary NPA chief, Leoncio Pitao, a.k.a. Ka Parago, was found dead on March 5, 2009.
Her mother, Evangelyn Pitao, has been crying for justice ever since. In a phone interview during a press conference yesterday at Pia’s Café on Quimpo Boulevard, Davao City, Evangelyn expressed her dismay over the country’s slow-paced judicial system which she claims is playing deaf and dumb on the case.
She pointed out that those who murdered her daughter remain free, referring to who she suspects are members of the military which has been hunting her husband, Evangelyn’s father.
Mrs. Pitao, who did not arrive in the press conference for her security, said that she, together with her family and friends, is not giving up hope to achieve justice for Rebelyn.
Rebelyn code
Inspired by the struggle for justice for Rebelyn’s death, Davao City councilor lawyer Karlo S. Bello filed the Rebelyn Code, an ordinance increasing the role of the city in observing and protecting the basic human rights of individuals in situations of armed conflict.
Waiting for the third reading of the ordinance, Bello and co-author, lawyer Leah Librado, continue seeking the support of all councilors for the proposed ordinance, whose proponents want the local government unit to take an active role in the prosecution of human rights cases involving armed conflict. It will provide legal assistance and psychosocial interventions to the victims.
Under the Rebelyn Code, a human rights legal assistance and resource office will be created and attached to the city mayors’ office. A multi-sectoral monitoring team will also be created composed of five members: representative of the city mayor, city legal officer in his capacity as the city human rights coordinator or his representative, chairman of the committee on civil, political, and human rights, and members from the private sectors appointed by the city mayor.
CARHRIHL Framework
Bello drafted this within the framework of the Comprehensive Agreement for the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) signed by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in 1998. It contains the fundamental human rights which will serve as guidelines and principles in the implementation of the provisions of Rebelyn Code.
Rebelyn’s body was found 20 hours after she was killed bearing five stab wounds in a canal in Carmen town, Davao del Norte. Her death enraged human rights groups, especially women groups like Gabriela.
