Camp Kalaw, Monkayo, Compostela Valley (13 July) -- A squad of 25IB troopers led by Cpl Segundito S. Sarte Jr. foiled another NPA ambuscade at Sitio Misaong, Brgy Upper Ulip, Monkayo, CVP at about 12:05 p.m. today.

The troops, members of Charlie Company stationed at So. Depot, Upper Ulip, while on board a military KM450 vehicle, were along the Poblacion ? Diwalwal road on their way to the 25IB Headquarters when they were treacherously land mined and attacked by undetermined number of NPA terrorists from Guerilla Front ? 20.

The landmine explosion narrowly missed the military vehicle driven by Pfc Mario A. Gamotia. Instinctively, the shell-shocked driver, sped away from the killing zone while the rest of the troopers, firing from their vehicle, engaged the enemy who were positioned along the high ground. Cpl. Sarte directed the troops to proceed to battalion headquarters and arrived safely without any casualties from the government side.

The military vehicle on the other hand sustained minor damage caused by landmine shrapnel and bullets from the perpetrators. Lt. Col. Gilbert F. Saret, Commander of 25IB, immediately dispatched a scout platoon led by 2nd Lt. Sorino in order to scour and clear the ambush site for other probable landmine emplacements.

According to Lt. Col. Saret, "the NPA terrorists in the region suffered a big blow in past military operations and as a desperation move they resort to land-mining, ambushcades, and even kidnapping, to assert their dwindling influence at Compostela Valley Province.

"The steadfastness of the Fireball Troopers and their courage under fire, defeated the NPA's purpose of another human rights violation since the use of landmines are now banned internationally as ratified through the Ottawa Convention of 1986".