Camp Sumorory Catarman NSamar - A construction team from the 543rd Engineering Construction Battalion (ECB) led by Pfc Randy Y Pepito 844571 (Inf) PA and three (3) other enlisted personnel while hauling gravel at Barangay Roxas, Lapinig, N. Samar was ambushed and landmined on May 17, 2008 at about 8:50 AM by more or less six (6) Communist Terrorists armed with high powered fire arms. The fire fight lasted for about ten minutes after which, the enemy withdrew sensing the arrival of military reinforcement in the encounter site.

There was no casualty reported on the government side while undetermined number of casualty on the NPA side with the presence of blood traces on the enemy position. The troops recovered from the encounter site the following: one (1) cal 5.56mm M16 rifle with SN 9023215, one (1) short magazine, ninety four rounds of live ammunitions, back pack with personal belongings, blasting caps, subversive documents and some medicines.

Meanwhile, COL EDUARDO D DEL ROSARIO FA (GSC) PA, Commander, 803^rd Infantry Brigade condemned the NPA ambush as anti-people and anti-development action by the NPA. He stressed that the 543^rd ECB was tasked to undertake the opening of the Lapinig-Jipapad road in order to connect N. Samar with E. Samar. The farm to market road will surely boost development in the area and facilitate trade among neighboring barangays and municipalities. Yet, true to being tagged as terrorists, the NPA ambushed our soldier-engineers. Nevertheless, “I salute our soldiers for their bravery against the evil deeds of the NPA rebels”, del Rosario added.