Trooper linked to murder of Pitao's daughter salvaged

MANILA, Philippines - A soldier being linked by Communist leader Leoncio Pitao alias Commander Parago to the killing of his daughter Rebelyn last March was liquidated by suspected New People’s Army rebels in Davao City Sunday, a military spokesman said yesterday.

Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command said Cpl. Orly Pedregoza was shot dead by three motorcycle-riding NPA members in Paquibato District.

“He sustained four gunshot wounds that caused his instantaneous death,” he said.

Pedregoza was among the four soldiers accused by Pitao as the ones behind the abduction and murder of his 20-year-old daughter.

Cabangbang said two civilians identified as Jeffrey Lab-tic, 31, and Jolito Atig, 30, were immediately brought to the nearest hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds.

The Army’s 69th Infantry Battalion immediately conducted checkpoints to prevent the escape of the perpetrators who fled after the incident.

Cabangbang condemned the incident, saying the assassination of those suspected to be behind the abduction and murder of Rebelyn, would not lead to the determination of the real perpetrators and would not lead to justice.   – With Edith Regalado