Military checking if Manero liquidated
The military here are checking reports a retired trooper seized by communist rebels last month had been terminated. We are still verifying this report, said Major Arman Rico, spokesman of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command. Rico admits the military is clueless about the whereabouts of MSgt. Jose Manero, but the search for the communist rebels continues.
Manero, brother of convicted priest killer Norberto Manero, Jr., was abducted by New People’s Army rebels led by Leonardo Pitao, alias Kumander Parago, last month from a banana farm in Calinan. Manero Jr., recently pardoned for the 1985 killing of Fr. Tulio Favali in Tulonon, North Cotabato, has appealed to the NPAs to release his brother.
Manero was serving as security officer for Raffy Lorenzo of the Lapanday Group of Companies, when seized by rebels who raided the Lapanday farm for firearms.
We are verifying the report, said Rico. Military have gathered information Manero had been buried in Lumiad Paquibato. Manero was assigned in Davao City when he was still in active service and has joined military operations against the NPA. Reportedly, he led the team that killed Ka Rambo, a known NPA leader, during a clash in Mandug in the 80s.
Until we have the body, we consider him as still alive, said Rico, adding information gathered by military indicated Manero was charged before the rebel People’s Court, found guilty and then punished with death.
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte earlier had appealed to the NPA to release Manero. He said the retired trooper was no longer in active service and was merely making a living by serving as security officer to the Lapanday executive.
Filed under: Duterte, Military, NEW PEOPLES ARMY, NPA, davao city | Tagged: jr., ka parago, lapanday group of companies, leonardo pitao, msgt jose manero, new peoples army rebels, norberto manero, NPA, sparrow unit
