ORMOC CITY – Acting on a tip from surrendered New People’s Army (NPA) members, the Philippine Army recovered a cache of war materials in the hinterland boundaries of Barangays Calingatnan and San Mateo, both in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, on July 8.
The recovered items include a serviceable US rifle Cal 5.56 mm M653 (baby Armalite), five long magazines and four short magazines for the M653, 248 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, eleven rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, ten rounds of .38 caliber ammunition, three rounds of 9mm ammunition, one box for .38 caliber ammunition, and one bandoleer.
This recovery is the result of “Project APOY,” implemented by the 78th Infantry (Warrior) Battalion under the operational control of the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade. Former members of the APOY Platoon of the Sub-Regional Committee SESAME provided crucial information to government troops.
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Bogaoan, local Army Commander of the 78th Infantry Battalion, stated that former rebels have been cooperating with his unit by revealing the identities of remaining contacts of the APOY Platoon.
“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. (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 Project APOY (Advocating Programs that Promote Reconciliation and Optimizing Gains Yielding to Peace), a strategic initiative of the 802nd Infantry Brigade and the 78th Infantry Battalion. The project aims to persuade remaining NPA members to abandon armed struggle through the assistance of their former comrades and supporters who have already reintegrated into society.
Project APOY not only seeks 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. This initiative has cultivated trust and confidence in former rebels, who in return, have provided actionable information critical to ending the local communist armed conflict.
Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, Commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, emphasized that the recovery of these war materials demonstrates the commitment of former APOY Platoon members in helping the government achieve peace. He commended the troops and urged former rebels and other stakeholders to continue cooperating for 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 about the human and physical terrain in the areas they used to hide and they are the best people to help us convince their former comrades to join them in mainstream 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 seize the opportunity extended by the government. Come out now and live a peaceful life with your family, former comrades, and loved ones,” Vestuir concluded. (via Ricky Bautista; Photo courtesy of 8ID)
