by Miriam G. Desacada
Tacloban City–A former rebel tipped-off government forces about two active NPA members hiding at Barangay Abejao in Salcedo town of Eastern Samar resulting in the surrender of the latter and the discovery of hidden firearms, ammunitions, and subversive documents in their hiding area on October 3 (Thursday).
Soldiers from the 78th Infantry Battalion (78IB), an attached unit of the 802nd Infantry Brigade (802IBde), swiftly responded to the information provided by the ex-rebel, who was only identified as Apolonio and a former member of the NPA’s Yunit Militia
Apolonio identified the two NPA members as Lilio Betasolo Jacobe (alias “Baoy/Toder/Rodel”), vice leader of Squad 2 of Apoy Platoon; and Enorio Afable Aquilla (alias “Rokles/Bokoy/Medi/Pari”), a member of the same squad.
Apolonio said the two were among those involved in an armed clash between rebels and government troops at Barangay Osmeña in General MacArthur, Eastern Samar last July 25 that resulted in the death of their leader, Joel “Duran” Guarino of Apoy Platoon, SRC Sesame of the regional committee.
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Bugaoan, 78IB commander, said his troops were able to track down the two and persuade them to surrender instead. Subsequently the two surrendered and disclosed to the soldiers a stockpile of firearms, ammunitions, and documents hidden in two barangays—Osmeña and Laurel—of their town.
The revelations of the two surrenderers were eventually verified that resulted in the seizure of the following firearms: two M16 rifles, two M14 rifles, one M1903 Caliber .30 Springfield rifle, and one AK-47 rifle. Also seized were hundreds of rounds of ammunition, several magazines, personal belongings, and subversive documents, deemed by the troops to be of high intelligence value.
Military officials attributed the success of the operation and the surrender of rebels to the persistent conduct and implementation of the E-FReE Families program and the Project APOY program.
The E-FReE (Enhanced Friends Rescued Engagement through Families) program empowers the families of active NPA members to encourage their loved ones to surrender and seek assistance from the military and local government.
The Project APOY (Advocating Programs that promote reconciliation, and Optimizing gains Yielding to Peace) is designed to foster peace and reconciliation that has been instrumental in facilitating the surrender of former NPA members, including those from the now-dismantled Apoy Platoon.
Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802IBde, lauded the 78IB troops for their professionalism and successful negotiation that led to the surrender. “Two lives were saved from the grip of a dead ideology. It’s only a matter of time before all members of SRC Sesame will be neutralized,” he said.
The general added: “I once again urge the remaining NPA members to embrace peace. There are no safe havens for you except in the loving arms of your families.” —-Miriam G. Desacada