By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo, recently visited National Democratic Front (NDF) spokesperson Frank Fernandez and Cleofe Lagtapon at the Philippine Army General Hospital in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

During the meeting, Arevalo expressed contentment with finally seeing Fernandez in person and in military custody.

The military official added, he has been trying to capture Fernandez since his lieutenant days in Negros Occidental.

“I just came here to see you and let the people of Negros know that the Army is treating you well,” Arevalo said.

Fernandez and Lagtapon were initially confined to a private hospital in Alabang, Metro Manila for medical treatment but were later transferred to the Army General Hospital due to security reasons.

“If this is how the Army and the government treat the New People’s Army (NPA) leaders, like Frank Fernandez and Cleofe Lagtapon, how much more regular NPAs who are only being fooled and used by their leaders and political officers?” Arevalo asked. “I, now, urge them to surrender now and live normal lives again.”

“The government has a lot to give for you,” he added. “The Army welcomes those who want to surrender now.”

The couple, together with Gee-Ann Perez, were apprehended by joint military and police forces last March in Liliw, Laguna./DGB, WDJ