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Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Army general vows to get rebel chief soon
By Ben O. Tesiorna
* Bagasin confident Parago no longer has anywhere to hide in after soldiers have tracked him down in Bukidnon
* Accuses Parago of forcibly recruiting minors are combatants
THE Philippine Army Monday vowed to get New People's Army (NPA) leader Rolando Pitao alias Kumander Parago, dead or alive, within three months.
This according to Major General Samuel Bagasin, chief of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, during a press conference in Davao City Monday.
Bagasin said they have been conducting massive military operations in Northeastern Mindanao regions for two months now adding that Parago is now on the run.
"Malapit na siya. Di na niya alam kung saan siya pupunta. Within three months makukuha na namin si Parago, dead or alive," Bagasin said.
He said Parago is now in Bukidnon after clashing with the government troopers in Agusan del Sur early this month.
"Akala niya makakatakas siya sa amin pag pumunta siya ng Bukidnon. Di niya alam may mga tropa din kaming nag-aantay sa kanya dun. Wala na siyang mapagtaguan ngayon," Bagasin said.
Bagasin identified Parago as the number one extortionist in the area. He said the rebel leader is also known for forcibly recruiting minors to join his command.
Young recruits
This was confirmed by a 16-year-old rebel returnee, Mario, who surrendered to Army soldiers on May 19. Mario said he was recruited by Parago six months ago with a promise that they will give financial support of P600 for each of his family members.
"Parago just asked me to deliver cigarettes to their post but afterwards they refused to let me go saying I'm already a member, so I was forced to join them," Mario said in the vernacular.
He said Parago even has a nine-year-old native "buddy" whom he allows to carry a caliber .38 revolver.
Lastimosa said the lumad (indigenous) boy wanted so much to go back to his parents but Parago did not allow the minor to return home. He said the lumad boy, identified as Cosme, had been with Parago for one year now.
"There are two others aged 12 whom he has allowed to carry M14s," Lastimosa said.
'Sparrows'
The rebel returnee added that Parago had also "released" three Sparrows somewhere within the region out to liquidate people who are perceived to be enemies of the NPA.
Bagasin said once they have Parago in their hands they will not commit another mistake like in the past when Parago was released by the government as a goodwill measure for the resumption of peace negotiations between the NPA and the government.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (May 24, 2005 issue)
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