Military sets P7.8M reward for arrest of priest-rebel

BACOLOD CITY  , Philippines — A priest-turned-rebel here has been ranked the No. 1 Most Wanted Person in Negros Occidental and the military is offering P7.8 million for his arrest.

The cash reward is being offered for the capture of Ka Frank Fernandez, who is the head of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-New People’s Army (NPA)-National Democratic Front (NDF) in Negros Occidental, the military said.

Fernandez’ ranking in the Most Wanted List was bared in a press conference (Wednesday) of the Joint Provincial Peace and Security Coordinating Center held at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) in Bacolod.

The meeting was presided by 303rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Oscar Lactao and NOPPO director Sr. Supt. Milko Lirazan.

Lactao said Fernandez has a string of cases against him, which include murder and attempted murder, but he admitted that the rebel leader, despite his age and being reportedly sickly, has continued to elude arrest.

Also included in the Most Wanted List is former barangay captain Noel Ayalin, who was charged with the massacre of four barangay officials in Barangay Kapitan Ramon, Silay City during a barangay council session two years ago.

Lirazan said a P500,000 reward has been put up for the arrest of Ayalin. (FREEMAN)