THE 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) of the Philippine Army based in Negros Occidental said National Democratic Front (NDF) consultant and secretary Francisco “Ka Frank” Fernandez and wife, Cleofe Lagtapon are in good hands with the military.
The assurance came after Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo, commander of 303rd IBde visited the couple on April 5 at the Philippine Army General Hospital in Taguig City.
Arevalo said Fernandez looks better now than before while he was running anywhere in the country.
The army is taking good care of them and we want the people to see it, he added.
However, he said Lagtapon has been seeing a psychologist as she is suffering from depression.
But he believed that staying together gives them strength.
Arevalo said Fernandez, during his visit, was trying to engage him in a debate but he refused because he was there to just talk to him and personally see their conditions.
Fernandez and Lagtapon were initially confined in a private hospital in Alabang, Metro Manila for medical treatment but were later transferred to the Army General Hospital due to security reasons, following their apprehension in Laguna on March 24.
“If this is how the army and the government treat the New People’s Army (NPA) leaders, how much more the regular NPAs who are only being fooled and used by their leaders and political officers,” Arevalo said.
I now urge them (NPA) to surrender now and live their normal lives again. The government has a lot to give for you, he said, adding that the army welcomes those who want to surrender now.
Arevalo said he was told by Fernandez that he was detached from the group at a certain point in time and is not informed about the current situation at the mountains.
The army commander said he is positive that Fernandez is willing to pursue peace talks but it will take time for him to help the authorities.