CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines – On Thursday, October 3, 2024, troops from the 78th Infantry Battalion successfully facilitated the surrender of two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and seized an arms cache in General MacArthur, Eastern Samar.
Alias Jacobe, the Vice Squad leader, and alias Aquilla, both affiliated with the Apoy Platoon of the Sub-Regional Committee Sesame, revealed the locations of hidden weapons in the remote villages of Osmeña and Laurel. The cache included two M16 rifles, two M14 rifles, one .30 caliber Springfield rifle, and one AK-47, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition, several magazines, personal items, and subversive documents of significant intelligence value.
Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, Commander of the 802nd Brigade, praised the troops for their professionalism and effective negotiation skills.
“Two lives have been saved from the grip of a dead ideology. It’s only a matter of time before all members of SRC Sesame are neutralized. This operation’s success is a testament to the tireless efforts of the 802nd Brigade in conducting thorough debriefings with former rebels and implementing programs like the E-FReE Families initiative and Project APOY,” he stated.
The Enhanced Friends Rescued Engagement through Families (E-FReE) program aims to empower the families of active NPA members to encourage their loved ones to surrender and seek military and local government assistance.
Brigadier General Perfecto P. Peñaredondo, Acting Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, urged remaining CTG members to embrace peace and take advantage of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
“These achievements result from the collaborative efforts of our ground troops, local leaders, and an awakened citizenry, all aimed at addressing the longstanding insurgency in Eastern Visayas. Our strategies are becoming increasingly effective and responsive to the needs of the people,” he added. (With reports from the Philippine Army)
