BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar – Rotchild Q. Bacque, a former member of the Yunit Militia (YM) supporting the NPA in Borongan City, surrendered seven (7) magazines used for M16 and AK47 rifles, along with 190 assorted ammunitions, to the 78th Infantry (Warrior) Battalion on April 9, 2024.
Rotchild, a resident of Sitio Bagong Barrio, Brgy Pinanag-an, surrendered to the 78th Infantry (Warrior) Battalion as a member of the Yunit Militia/Milisyang Bayan last October 27, 2023, along with the Delmonte Family. His surrender was facilitated by the Friend Rescued Engagement (FReE) through their Families program of the 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade.
Upon surrendering, Rotchild received financial assistance of PhP10,000.00 from the Local Social Integration Program of the City Government of Borongan.
Expressing gratitude for the good treatment and assistance he received from the government troops and the LGU of Borongan City, Rotchild decided to return the favor by disclosing the location of the war materials used by the remaining NPAs in the area.
The discovery of the war materials is a testament to the effectiveness of the Friend Rescued Engagement (FReE) through their Families program, which is implemented in partnership with local chief executives and other government agencies. This program aims to achieve the total defeat of the NPAs in the area.
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph D Bugaoan, the acting Commanding Officer of the 78th IB, commended Rotchild for his initiative in surrendering the war materials. He stated, “Rest assured that we will push forward towards the realization of the total defeat of the remaining NPAs in the area in order for us and the locality to attain peaceful, development-ready, and NPA-inhospitable communities in the whole Eastern Samar.”
