COL. PRUDENCIO AGUIRRE FERNANDEZ
LEZO’S MUNICIPAL HERO
By Melchor F. Cichon, Jan 25, 2021
Col. Prudencio Aguirre Fernandez (April 27, 1902- January 23, 1966) is considered as Lezo’s hero for his nationalistic deeds during World War II. When the World War II broke out, he was called to active duty by a Special Order from Capt. Whitehurts as Ist. Lt. and was assigned as Commanding Officer, Quarter Master (QMS), 81st INF. Regt, Samar-Leyte Sector from December 25, 1941 to May 24, 1942.
In June, 1942, he joined the guerrilla units of Panay under the command of Col Macario Peralta in the Regimental Headquarters in Mount Baloy, Libacao, Aklan. To raise funds for his guerrilla units, Capt. Fernandez held benefit dances and sought financial help from Chinese merchants. He also made emergency notes, using cartolinas to serve as a medium of exchange in Aklan. This angered the Japanese. To weaken the guerrilla units, and to stop the activities of Capt. Fernandez, Capt. Michikita of the Japanese army gathered the townspeople of Lezo in Lezo Elementary School and in San Isidro De Labrador Church to force Capt. Fernandez, otherwise all the people in those place would be machine gunned, and their houses burned.
To save the lives of his townmates, Capt. Fernandez surrendered along with his bodyguard, Alfredo Casimiro Selorio. On the day of his transfer from Lezo to Kalibo, he was kidnapped by the Filipino guerillas and was brought to the 66th INF. Regiment Headquarters. There, he was interrogated, charged of treason and was court martialed. Fortunately, he was exonerated of all charges against him.
On June 11, 1946, he was re-instated as Commanding Officer of QMS Company as supply comptroller and later went back to Leyte where he was warmly welcomed by Gen. Douglas MacArthur. From Leyte, he rode a reconnaissance plane loaded with canned goods, medicines, clothes, cigarettes, etc. and dropped them at Lezo Town Plaza. In 1957, he was promoted as Lt. Coronel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
On December 22, 1959, he suffered a heart attack. On his fourth stroke on January 23, 1966, he passed away in his residence in Paco, Manila. Upon his death, he was promoted as a full pledge Colonel.
