Senators mourn death of FEU football player, kin killed in Masbate blast

At least two senators on Wednesday extended their condolences to the family of Far Eastern University (FEU) football player Kieth Absalon and his cousin who were in a roadside explosion in Masbate.

Senator Francis Pangilinan issued the statement after the New People’s Army took responsibility for the explosion, saying it was a mistake by its unit in the said province.

Pangilinan said the young booter could have shown more of his potential in the sport after the 21-year-old FEU player has brought pride and honor to his school and the country.

Absalon was one of the Philippine representatives in the 2018 ASEAN Football Federation Under-19 Youth Championship held in Indonesia.

As he mourned the death of Absalon, Pangilinan called for the resumption of the government’s peace talks with the communist rebels, reiterating that “genuine and lasting peace remains the best option rather than violence.”

The lawmaker said peace and prosperity will address the root problems of insurgency and it will usher in sustainable development in the countryside.

“We hope the doves in the Cabinet would prevail to bring to fore the need for genuine peace as paramount and must be pursued right away,” Pangilinan said.

On the other hand, Senator Risa Hontiveros called for the prosecution of the rebels behind the explosion to give justice to the families of the slain FEU player and his cousin.

“I stand in solidarity with the families of Keith and Nolven Absalon and strongly condemn the senseless violence that took their innocent lives,” she said in a separate statement.

“Now that the CPP-NPA has taken full responsibility, a swift accounting of this appalling tragedy is now in order. The perpetrators must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Dapat may managot,” she added.

The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines both have announced that they were conducting a manhunt for the suspects behind the blast.

The Palace earlier called the killing of the Absalon cousins with a landmine the worst crime. 

The Commission on Human Rights likewise condemned the violent incident, saying the use of anti-personnel landmines is a violation of the International Humanitarian Law.

Vice President Leni Robredo also deplored NPA’s landmine attack in Masbate, saying no ideology can justify the use of such device. -MDM, GMA News