The military is verifying intelligence reports that priest-turned-rebel Frank Fernandez is no longer the secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army.

Fernandez had reportedly been brought to Manila in previous months for immediate treatment of diabetes, which is a lingering illness. The military's order of battle of CPP-NPA top personalities show that Cleofe Lagtapon is the deputy secretary of KR- Negros, with captured rebel leader Marvin Mata, alias Ka Benzar, as the third highest officer of the rebel movement in Negros.

However, there were reports that a top rebel leader in Mindanao had been dispatched to Negros, to assume the position of Fernandez as secretary of the KR-Negros. Mata, who was tagged by the military as commander of the NPA Regional Operational Command and its liquidation unit, is now detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in San Carlos City, robbery-in-band-charges.

Military records show that KR- Negros has an estimated 500 party members and fighters.*GPB

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