MANILA, June 29 (PNA) — A civilian, who gave military men information that led to the encounter and subsequent death of Pulang Bagani Command head Leonardo Pitao, will be getting a PhP5.6-million reward from the government.
This was disclosed by Eastern Mindanao Command public affairs office chief Capt. Alberto Caber in an interview Monday.
The money will be given to the civilian informant once his information was validated and processed, Caber said.
He added that the civilian was acknowledged by 10th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Eduardo Ano for his role in the neutralization of Pitao, who is also known as “Cmdr. Parago.”
Troopers from the 10th Infantry Division shot and killed Pitao and a rebel identified as Kyle Hermosa Limpag during an encounter at Purok 9, Barangay Panyalom, Pacquibato District, Davao City Saturday afternoon.
Recovered from the scene of the clash were two M-16 automatic rifles and three rifle grenades.
Ano said their task group cornered Pitao with only 10 of his security and command personnel.
He added that a much larger NPA force was lagging between the group of the slain rebel leader at the time of the encounter.
According to Ano, the encounter with the smaller rebel force lasted for 25 minutes and ended with Pitao and another rebel dead.
He said that the operation against the rebel leader started two weeks ago.
The objective of the operation was to serve 17 arrest warrants against Pitao.
The 10th Infantry Division commander said that the killing of Pitao is a major blow to the rebel movement in the Davao Region as the Pulang Bagani Command is the toughest and strongest NPA force in the locality.
Its strength is placed at around 600 to 700 guerrillas.
Pitao gained notoriety in the area for frequent ambush operations and other atrocities, aside from the kidnapping of Brig. Gen. Victor Obillo, then the commander of the 55th Engineering and Construction Brigade in February 2006. (PNA)