[Gulf Today] A top leader of the communist New People's Army who was killed in a recent encounter with Philippine security forces was given a hero's burial that resulted in the denunciation of the outspoken mayor of Davao City in restive Mindanao as a "leftist".The controversy arose when Mayor Rodrigo Duterte allowed the coffin of Leoncio "Kumander Parago" Pitao to be given a parade along major streets in the city attended by 10,000 supporters who were wearing red T-shirts and carrying placards. The white coffin bearing Pitao's remains was also draped with the communist hammer and sickle flag.
Duterte was widely condemned as a "communist" and an "NPA sympathizer" by his critics on social media for allowing a hero's burial for the militant who was killed along with his aide in a remote village of Davao City on June 27.
The feisty mayor has remained unfazed by the criticisms, saying, "He (Pitao) was not a robber. He did not sell (illegal) drugs. He was there dreaming of a different system for the Filipino people. This is not a sin."
Duterte defended his continuing dialogue with the Maoists, pointing out that as mayor, one of his important jobs was to ensure that Davao City was free from violence by NPA militants.