ILOILO CITY – In a significant blow to communist insurgency in the Philippines, security forces have captured a top-ranking New People's Army (NPA) leader during a meticulously planned operation in this bustling urban center.
Frank Fernandez, described as the Secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (KR-NCBS), was apprehended along with his wife, Cleofe Lagtong, in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro district. The couple had been evading authorities for nearly 15 years, making their capture particularly noteworthy for Philippine law enforcement.
Dramatic Early Morning Raid
The arrest unfolded during coordinated law enforcement operations conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel. Acting on verified intelligence, officers moved in during the early hours, taking the long-sought rebels into custody without incident.
Authorities recovered significant evidence during the operation, including:
- Two .45-caliber pistols
- Four magazines for the firearms
- Various ammunition rounds
- Multiple mobile phones
- Subversive documents
Lengthy History of Evasion
Fernandez and his wife had been subjects of an intensive manhunt since 2009, when they managed to escape from their previous detention. Their ability to remain undetected for over a decade had frustrated multiple previous attempts at capture.
The successful operation represents a major achievement for Philippine security forces, who have been intensifying efforts to dismantle communist rebel networks across the Visayas region.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Both Fernandez and Lagtong now face multiple criminal charges related to their alleged rebel activities. They are currently detained at the Iloilo City Police Office while legal proceedings move forward.
This arrest marks a significant development in the Philippine government's ongoing campaign against communist insurgency, potentially disrupting NPA operations in the central Philippines region.
