Colonel Prudencio Autencio Fernandez: Lezo’s World War II Hero
(April 27, 1902-January 23, 1966)
(April 27, 1902-January 23, 1966)
By
Melchor F. Cichon
December 29, 2014
December 29, 2014
Their house was the only two-story building in our barrio, Sta. Cruz, Lezo, Aklan. And the only house with a radio.
Esmerna or Baby, their youngest daughter, was my classmate in the old Lezo Elementary School, in Poblacion, Lezo. And she was also one of my playmates when we would play tinubigan or bagoe in the street.
At that time, our street was not that busy because there were only very few jeepneys and about two buses that would ply that street from Kalibo to Malinao.
Today, that street is one of the busiest streets in Aklan. Jeepneys, buses, motorcycles, and tricycles ply this street almost every minute, especially when this street has become a passage way from Kalibo to Madalag. More so on Thursday when it’s a market day in Malinao.
Because of our closeness with Baby, my friends and I would always visit their house. Just to talk or if there were handaan, we would always be there to eat.
I remember that when we visited their house, I would always see short arms and ammunition in some parts of their house. Of course, those sightings were normal to me because I knew that Baby Esmerna’s father was an army during the World War II.
My childhood remembrance of Baby’s father was that he was about five and a half feet tall, fair in complexion, and handsome.
But I did not often see him in their house in our barrio. I was thinking that he was either in Davao or in Manila.
And when he came home, the whole barrio people would know it because there was always a big feast in our barrio pavilion. Foods and tuba would be flowing, followed by a community dancing.
I am referring to the late Col. Prudencio Autencio Fernandez.
We called him Tay Dencio.
Tay Dencio was born in Sta. Cruz, Lezo, Aklan on April 27, 1902. He was the second child of seven children of Mariano Fernandez and Anastacia Autencio, both of Lezo, Aklan.
Early in his life, Col. Prudencio Autencio Fernandez had shown his extra ordinary characteristics, his intelligence and initiative.
He was first honor when he finished his primary education in March 1912, and second honor when he graduated in the elementary at Lezo Elementary School, now known as Lezo Integrated School, in March 1915. He graduated in high school as First Honorable Mention in Paco, Manila, and his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education in 1920 at Philippine School of Arts and Trade. In the same year, he worked as a shop teacher in Romblon High School where he met his future wife, Dominadora Silverio Inamac of Liloan, Malinao, Aklan, his former student.
Five years later, in June, 1925, he worked at Numancia Elementary School. But was again transferred to Capiz School of Arts and Trade as a shop teacher in June 1927 until 1936 when he was promoted as a principal at Samar School of Arts and Trade until December 25, 1941. His work there as a principal was cut short when the Japanese army invaded the Philippines on December 8, 1941.
He was called to active military duty by a Special Order from Capt. Whitehurts as Ist Lt., and was assigned as Commanding Officer, Quarter Master Service (QMS), 81st INF REGT, Samar-Leyte Sector from December 25, 1941 to May 24, 1942. Two days before this, he was inducted into USAFE, AFP and was promoted as Captain.
Capt. Fernandez, along with his family and friends, sailed from Samar and reached Aklan in June, 1942, after one month of navigation. While his companions reunited with their respective families, Capt. Fernandez 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 guerilla units, Capt. Fernandez, held benefit dances and sought financial help from Chinese merchants. He also made emergency notes, using cartolinas, in the denomination of PhP 1.00; PhP0.50, PhP0.20, PhP0.10, and PhP0.5 to serve as a medium of exchange in Lezo and in its neighboring towns.
This however 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. If Capt. Fernandez would not surrender, all the people in those places 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.
He was not imprisoned but was put under the custody of Capt. Michikita.
On the day of his transfer to Kalibo, he was kidnapped by the 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 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.
From 1947-1948, Capt. Fernandez served as grave commander in Bataan.
The following year, he took advance training course for reserve officer in Reserve Officer’s Service School (ROSS) at Muntinglupa, Rizal.
On June 12, 1951, he was honorably discharged from the military service with the rank of Major.
After his military service, he returned to the Bureau of Public School and was assigned as instructor at Philippine School of Arts and Trade in Manila.
In 1952, he was appointed as industrial supervisor in the Division of Naga, Bicol Region. Two years after that, he was transferred to Bacolod City as Industrial Arts Supervisor. In June 1957, he was promoted as superintendent of the Davao School of Arts and Trade.
It was also at this time that he was promoted as Lt. Colonel 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.
He left seven children namely: Eduardo I. Fernandez, M.D.; Teresita Fernandez Cava, retired teachers; Leticia Fernandez Torrea, R.N.; Arnolfo I. Fernandez, Gloria Fernandez Hugonin, M.D.; Zenaida Fernandez Iledan, and Esmerna Fernandez Legaspi, R.N.
Today the Fernandez family is erecting a historical marker in Sta. Cruz, Lezo, Aklan to perpetuate the good deeds of this town hero: Col. Prudencio A. Fernandez.
