Rebelyn’s case highlighted in pilgrimage for justice

PRESS RELEASE
December 4, 2009


DAVAO CITY – The killing of Rebelyn Pitao, daughter of NPA Commander
Leoncio a.k.a “Parago” Pitao will be brought to fore by more than 100
members of various nongovernment organizations led by the Exodus for
Justice and Peace in the convergence of peace advocates, collectively
called "the pilgrims for justice."

The contingents coming from Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley
Province, Davao del Sur and North Cotabato will meet first in Tagum
City where a brief ceremony for Rebelyn will be held.

In Davao City, the pilgrims from Southern Mindanao Region will then
converge with more than 300 pilgrims coming from Dipolog City,
Cotabato City, General Santos City, and Surigao del Sur.

According to Bishop Delfin Callao, Jr. of Iglesia Filipina
Independiente, the pilgrims for justice will bring to fore issues of
gross human rights violations in Mindanao “especially cases of the
victims of development aggression in mining areas and the rampant
political killings in the region, the most notorious of whom is that
of the rape-slay of Rebelyn Pitao."

Recently, the father of New People's Army Commander Ka Jinggoy was
found dead in Brgy. Baylo, Monkayo. He bore nine gunshot wounds.

“This pilgrimage is a significant gathering for the victims of human
rights violations in Mindanao,  drawing strength from the collective
spirit of anguish and struggle for justice,” Callao said.
“The pilgrims from Surigao del Sur, will meet with the pilgrims from
Southern Mindanao in Tagum City and will hold a brief ceremony at the
Rebelyn marker located in Carmen, Panabo City. They will then proceed
here in Davao City,” he said.

The groups will then attend the 2nd Mindanao Human Rights Summit which
is being spearheaded by the nongovernmental InPeace Mindanao, along
with Kawagib Alliance for the Advancement of Moro Human Rights,
Sisters’ Association in Mindanao, Exodus for Justice and Peace
Southern Mindanao, Panaw Kalinaw Northern Mindanao, Lihuk Kalinaw
Western Mindanao, Hustisya Kalinaw Socsksargen, Karapatan and the
Promotion of Church People’s Response.###

For reference:
Bishop Delfin Callao Jr.
300-5397

This post was written by: Exodus for Justice and Peace

Exodus for Justice and Peace is a clergy-led peace group. Follow EJP on Twitter