Palace: Alleged NPA landmine killing of labor leader, footballer the worst crime

The death of a labor leader and young football star from a landmine supposedly planted by the communist New People's Army (NPA) is the worst crime, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was referring to the deaths of labor leader Nolven Absalon and his cousin football player Keith who were killed in a landmine explosion in Masbate last June 6.

"Using a landmine is an international crime. It is a crime against humanity. It is a war crime. It is prohibited by the Ottawa Convention because anybody can step on that landmine and trigger its explosion, combatant or otherwise," Roque said.

The Ottawa Convention prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines and their destruction.

"That is the worst crime that anyone can commit," Roque added.

"Being an international crime, it is important to arrest and take the perpetrators to court," he added. — DVM, GMA News