Troopers Foil Baao Ambush

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur (21 Aug) -ARMY TROOPERS of the 42^nd Infantry Battalion, while on a routine security patrol foiled a planned rebel ambush at the populated barangay of Nabarera in Baao, Camarines Sur, the 9^th Division Public Affairs Office in this camp reported on Friday (August 20).

42^nd Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Ernesto Cruz reported that civilian residents in the locality had informed him that rebels were laying landmines along the barangay road for an ambush.

A team led by Army 1st Lt. Jimenez, who was ordered to investigate the ambush site, encountered the NPA rebels while scouting a hilly portion of Barangay Nabarera, which resulted to a 15-minute fire-fight between the two armed groups.

Jimenez noted in his report that he ordered his troops to observe "fire discipline" after the rebels have withdrawn in nearby civilian houses.

Troopers recovered several improvised landmines dug-out by the side of the barangay road.

NPAs under "Kilusang Larangang Gerilya 75" under a certain Rolando Mustasa were reportedly responsible for the attempted rebel ambush.

In Masbate province, troopers of the 9^th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col.Anthony Purugganan confiscated two Molotov-type bombs in an abandoned hut used by the rebels in South Layog, Mandaon, Masbate on Thurs. (Aug. 19).

Reportedly, the Molotov-bombs were the same type used by rebels during an ambush of government troopers a week before the May polls.

NPA rebels were reported to have continuously used improvised landmines and explosives in ambush operations in Bikol.

In May this year, five soldiers died from a landmine explosion during an ambush in the coastal town of Presentacion in Camarines Sur. (SONNY SALES)