Nadiskubre ng mga tropa 63rd Infantry (Innovator) Battalion, habang nasa ilalim ng operational control ng 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army ang apat na AK47 Assault Rifle, limang Upper Receiver ng M16 Rifles na may bolt assembly, limang magazine ng AK47, at dalawang disc-type magazine ng AK47 rifle sa kagubatan sa Sitio Bagti, Barangay Mabini, Basey, Samar, kahapon, Enero 15, 2024.
Ayon kay Lieutenant Colonel Lucio R Janolino INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer ng 63rd Infantry Battalion, ang pagkakadiskubre sa mga armas na ito ay nagresulta sa karagdagang tulong ng isang senior leader ng CPP-NPA-NDF na sumuko sa tropa ng gobyerno noong Disyembre 2023 sa ilalim ng programang “Friends Rescued Engagement through their Families” (FReE Families) ng Municipal and Provincial TF-ELCAC, sa pakikipagtulungan ng 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade.
Pinuri naman ni Brigadier General Noel A. Vestuir, Commander ng Army’s 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade, ang tropa sa kanilang dedikasyon at serbisyo habang tumutulong sa pagpapatuloy ng kampanya kontra-insurhensya ng gobyerno.
“This a manifestation of the unwavering support and trust of our local folks in the municipality of Basey here in the province of Samar. The families of our Friends Rescued (FRs) once again showed their commitment to support our thrust to end the local communist armed conflict in their communities. Motivating their loved ones to cooperate with the government is a clear manifestation that they have the trust and confidence towards our FReE Families program, that surrenders all the illegal war materials that the NPA’s are using to sow terrorism in the localities,” pahayag ni Brig. Gen. Vestuir.
“To the government troops, this is a good sign for the start of the year 2024, as we will continue to dedicate our utmost service to attain peace and development in our area of responsibility,” dagdag niya.