NEWS RELEASE

March 3, 2010

DAVAO CITY – Exodus for Justice and Peace sponsored a song and poetry night as a tribute to Rebelyn Pitao, two days before family and members will mark her 1st year death anniversary on March 5.

Rebelyn, daughter of NPA leader Leoncio “Ka Parago” Pitao, was abducted, tortured and brutally killed, which sparked an outpouring of protest and concern from church people, academe and other groups. The EJP, Rebelyn's family and other groups  pointed to members of the intelligence unit of the 10th Infantry Division as responsible for the killing.

“We pray at the same time, express our disgust over the fact that one year after Rebelyn was killed, her rapists and killers are still out there, protected by the very institution that is constitutionally bound to protect the people. The culture of impunity is everywhere. Such impunity is not just in Maguindanao, it is also alive here in our region, where state-sponsored violence is occuring,” Aglipayan Bishop Delfin Callao,Jr.,  Exodus for Justice and Peace convenor said.  

The group will feature poems written for Rebelyn by different writers including a Fil-Am writer from the United States.  A line from one poem written by Melanie Dulfo of Gabriela-USA reads  “Maybe, they made a mistake.Thinking that / Your name marked you/ As one of those feared / In our society that’s been steeped / In dirt / (Something even / The trapos could not freshen up) / They should kill you.”

Most of the poems which will be read are written by teachers from the University of the Philippines, who are also members of ACT Teachers partylist, a group firmly closely monitoring Rebelyn's case. Rebelyn was a 20-year old substitute teacher from Saint Peter’s College of Toril.

“We need to continue our fight for justice in any form, in any way we can.  We need to send the message to the perpetrators of this violence that we will never forget what they have done, we will never stop in fighting for justice and we will never cower in fear,” Bishop Callao said.

The activity was attended by church leaders, teachers from other provinces and other human rights advocates.###

FOR REFERENCE:

Bishop Delfin Callao

Convenor