DAVAO City Councilor Karlo Bello said the neutralization of the notorious leader of the New People's Army (NPA), Leoncio Pitao, alias Kumander Parago, will not have any bearing on the result of their investigation on the Paquibato massacre that killed three lumads.
"Condolence with the family for his (Parago's) death. Lahi na siya (It's a different story)," Bello, chair of Human Rights Committee, told reporters in an interview Tuesday at the sidelines of the special second committee hearing held at the City Council.
Bello said they are also questioning the side of the military on why they were the ones who implemented the warrants of arrest against Parago and other members of the New People's Army (NPA).
"May issue sa pag-implement ng warrant dahil irregular yung serving nun. Usually kasi police ang nagseserve ng warrant. Naga-assist lang ang military ng warrant," Bello said.
Bello said there are possible sanctions should the Army personnel be found guilty of the said massacre of the three lumads.
"Kung sufficient ang grounds na nagcommit sila ug pagpatay na walay ebidensya, then some of the councilors recommended na pahawaon sila diri sa Davao (If we can determine if there are sufficient grounds that they have committed a crime without legal evidences, then we can recommend to oust them from Davao City)," Bello said.
"Kung gipatay pud nila na walay armas, pwede namo sila ideclare na persona non grata (If they really killed those three who were without arms, we can also recommend in our committee report to declare them as persona non-grata)," he added. (KRP)