Army cites ex-rebels’ help to find war materiel in Eastern Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 11, 2024): Army cites ex-rebels’ help to find war materiel in Eastern Samar (By Sarwell Meniano)

WAR MATERIEL. Some of the firearms and ammunition recovered by the Philippine Army in the mountains of Borongan City in Eastern Samar. Soldiers found these through information from former rebels, the Philippine Army said on Thursday (July 11, 2024). (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – The recent discovery of war materiel in Eastern Samar highlights the role of former New People's Army (NPA) rebels in completely ending insurgency in the province, the Philippine Army said on Thursday.

The Army's 78th Infantry Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Joseph Bogaoan, said former rebels revealed the identities of existing contacts of the remaining members of the NPA's Apoy platoon in areas where they seek refuge to evade government forces.

"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. He provided crucial information to the government troops as to the location of these war materials in the upland Calingatnan and San Mateo villages in Borongan City, Eastern Samar," Bogaoan said in a statement.

The materials seized recently include a serviceable US rifle caliber 5.56 mm M653; five long magazines and four short magazines for the M653; 248 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition; 11 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition; 10 rounds of caliber .38 ammunition; three rounds of 9 mm ammunition; a box for caliber .38 ammunition, and a bandoleer.

The success of this operation can be attributed to the local Army unit's Project APOY. A Filipino term for fire, APOY stands for Advocating Programs that promote reconciliation and Optimizing gains Yielding to peace.

"It is a strategic initiative of the 802nd Infantry Brigade and the 78th Infantry Battalion that aims to persuade the remaining NPA members to abandon the armed struggle through the persuasion of their former comrades and supporters who have already surfaced and joined the mainstream of society," he added.

Project APOY not only aims to dismantle insurgents but also focuses on rehabilitating former rebels and reintegrating them into their communities as productive citizens through regular workshops and debriefings.

Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, 802nd Infantry Brigade Commander, said the recovery of these war materials is a testament to the commitment of the former rebels in helping the government attain peace.

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, according to Vestuir.

“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 that could help us in our efforts to convince their former comrades to join them in the mainstream of our society,” Vestuir added.

The Apoy platoon has only 16 remaining members as of mid-2024.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1228753