By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade Commander (303IB), Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo, recently confirmed the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Negros is currently under new leadership. He identified the new individual in charge as Rogelio Posadas, who took over after National Democratic Front spokesperson Frank Fernandez was arrested earlier this year in Laguna.
He said the military is currently conducting operations against the new leader, who is also in charge of rebels operating in Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor.
Last April, Arevalo visited 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.
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./DGB, WDJ