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Soldier, suspected rebel killed in Atimonan clash


An Army soldier and a suspected communist rebel wer killed following an encounter in Atimonan, Quezon over the weekend, a regional military spokesperson said Monday.

Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command spokesperson Maj. Angelo Guzman said four other soldiers, all belonging to the 85th Infantry Battalion, were wounded in the clash that occurred at 4:45 p.m. Sunday at Sitio Carinay in Barangay Villa Ibaba.

Guzman said the clash lasted for nearly two hours. He identified the fatality as Corporal Michael Lubian and those wounded as PFC Jeffrey Morales, PFC Isabelo Pascua, PFC Louie Tapiador and PFC Ronel Diorda.

The identity of the slain suspected New People's Army rebel was not immediately available. An M16 rifle was recovered from the slain insurgent, officials said.

An earlier report said a civilian was killed in the incident.

"We launched an operation to counter tactical offensives of the NPA who are desperate to  recover lost mass bases," said Colonel Parayno, 201st Infantry Brigage commander.
 
Parayno said the encounter happened near the vicinity of a proposed One Energy Power Plant.
 
"Part of their recovery effort is to sow fear to the community and extort businessmen and  big companies," he said. "We will not allow this to happen." 
 
On July 8, three suspected rebels were killed in an encounter with government troops in Mauban, Quezon. — RSJ, GMA News
 
 
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