On October 7, Panesa's arrest was public announced by officials of the AFP's 2nd ID who declared that they had arrested "Benjamin Mendoza" whom the AFP claimed was a 61-year old leading cadre of the CPP in Southern Tagalog and for whose arrest the DND-DILG had posted a P5 million reward. Panesa was severely tortured in efforts to make him confess to being "Benjamin Mendoza."
Noong Oktubre 7, inianunsyo sa publiko ng mga upisyal ng 2nd ID ng AFP ang pag-aresto kay Panesa at idineklarang siya si "Benjamin Mendoza" na diumano'y isang 61-taong gulang na namumunong kadre ng PKP sa Southern Tagalog na pinatungan sa ulo ng P5 milyon ng DND-DILG para sa pag-aresto sa kanya. Grabeng tortyur ang inabot ni Panesa para piliting paamining siya'y si "Benjamin Mendoza."