Ormoc City – Acting on the tip from the surrendered New People’s Army (NPA), the Philippine Army recovered war materials in the hinterland boundaries of Barangays Calingatnan and San Mateo, both of Borongan City, Eastern Samar on July 8.
The various war materials seized on Monday include a serviceable US rifle Cal 5.56 mm M653 (baby Armalite), five (5) long magazines and four (4) short magazines for the M653, 248 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, eleven (11) rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, ten (10) rounds of cal .38 ammunition, three (3) rounds of 9mm ammunition, one (1) box for cal.38 ammunition, and one (1) bandoleer.
The recovery is a result of the implementation of “Project APOY” of the 78th Infantry (Warrior) Battalion under the operational control of 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, wherein former members of the APOY Platoon of the Sub-Regional Committee SESAME provided crucial information to the government troops.
Local Army Commander Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Bogaoan of the 78th Infantry Battalion said that the former Rebels have been cooperating with his unit in revealing the identities of existing contacts of the remnants of the APOY Platoon in the areas where they seek refuge as they continue to evade the government operating forces.
“Isa sa mga nakausap ng ating kasamahan na nagbalik-loob ay iyong naatasang magtago ng armas at mga kagamitan pandigma ng APOY Platoon kaya natunton natin itong mga gamit ng NPA,” Bogaoan said in the vernacular. (One of these contacts was identified as a trusted custodian of high-powered firearms and other war materials owned by the remnants of APOY Platoon.)
The success of this operation can be attributed to the Project APOY or Advocating Programs that promote reconciliation and Optimizing gains Yielding to Peace, a strategic initiative of 802nd Infantry Brigade and the 78th Infantry Battalion which aims to persuade the remaining NPA members to abandon the armed struggle through the help of their former comrades and supporters who already surfaced and joined the mainstream of society.
Project APOY not only aims to dismantle insurgent networks but also focuses on rehabilitating former rebels and reintegrating them into their communities as productive citizens through regular workshops and debriefings. With this initiative, government forces cultivated trust and confidence in former rebels, and in return, the latter gave actionable information, which has proven critical in the ongoing efforts to finally end the local communist armed conflict.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, 802nd Infantry Brigade Commander said that the recovery of these war materials is a testament to the commitment of the former members of APOY Platoon in helping the government to attain peace, by ensuring the safety and security of our people and isolating the remnants of the NPAs from our communities.
Vestuir commended the troops and exhorted the former rebels and other stakeholders to continuously cooperate and collaborate to achieve lasting peace in the region. “The successful execution of this operation underscores the importance of the support of former rebels in our campaign. They are more knowledgeable on the human and physical terrain in the areas they used to hide and they are the best people that could help us in our efforts to convince their former comrades to join them in the mainstream of our society,” Vestuir added.
“I once again urge the remnants of NPAs to heed the call of their former comrades, families, friends, relatives, and loved ones to abandon the armed struggle and grab the opportunity extended by the government. Come out now and live a peaceful life with your family, former comrades, and loved ones,” Vestuir ended.