THE 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army in Western Visayas said the arrest of a leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Negros Island will diminish the terrorist group’s armed capability and will to fight.
It will create drastic demoralization among their members, a press release from the 3ID said.
This is the demise of the communist terrorist group, the local military said.
The arrest of CPP-NPA terrorist leader Frank Fernandez and wife Cleofe Lagtapon is a major setback to the communist terrorist ranks not only in Negros but the whole country, the press release also said.
“His apprehension is not only our victory but also of the people especially those who suffered from the cruel hands of Fernandez’s terrorist group,” it also said.
Fernandez is one of the most wanted persons in Negros facing multiple counts of murder and attempted murder case.
Fernandez, a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), was arrested on March 24 in Barangay Calumpang, Liliw, Laguna, along with his wife.
Recovered from them were three short firearms, assorted ammunition, and various electronic gadgets, which they allegedly used for their extortion activities and several subversive documents.
In 2016, Fernandez was among the NDFP consultant who was temporarily released to take part in the peace negotiations between the government and communist leaders in Oslo, Norway.
Their apprehension is a result of combined efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police units coupled with information coming from reliable civilian sources.
This is also a breakthrough to the campaign against violence and terrorism in Central and Western Visayas.
The 3ID commended the efforts of the operating troops for the successful apprehension of Fernandez and company as well as the vigilance of the civilian populace for giving accurate information on the location and activities of the arrested personalities.
They are calling on the people to continue cooperating with the government security forces through giving reliable information that would help in the neutralization of other communist terrorists.
NDFP-Negros condemned the arrest of Fernandez, his wife, and their companion.
In a press statement dated March 26, the group denounced the trumped-up charges filed against them and strongly demand the government, and its state forces to present them to their legal counsel and family.
The group also demanded the authorities to immediately release them on the basis of justice, propriety, and for humanitarian consideration.
“Their arrest, along with the imprisonment of other NDFP consultants, stink of the desperation of the US-controlled AFP to sabotage the peace process,” the group said.
Fernandez’s arrest will only further ignite the fervor of every peace-loving Filipino and, of course, all revolutionary forces to intensify the fight against Duterte's fascism and terrorism, they said.*