DND, AFP doubt CPP-NPA’s remorse over death of FEU booter, kin

The Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said they are doubtful of the communist rebels' recent statements on the deaths of Far Eastern University football team member Kieth Absalon and his cousin Nolven.

The cousins were killed by a landmine in Masbate City over the weekend.

On Tuesday, the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army's (CPP-NPA) apologized and expressed remorse over the incident, saying they take full responsibility.

In a statement, Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong questioned the CPP-NPA's intent to launch an investigation into the incident, adding that it would "never result in justice for families."

"Such arrogance further compounds the crimes of this communist terrorist group against the Filipino people, which the leadership of the CPP-NPA-NDF must answer to," he added.

Andolong also disputed the communist rebel groups' statement that the Absalon cousins' deaths was a "tactical error," saying that the landmines are a "matter of procedure" of the CPP-NPA to damage property and lives.

"The use of these anti-personnel mines that killed the Absalon cousins is actually a matter of procedure for these terrorists who are bent on inflicting death and damage to lives and property," Andolong said.

For military spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo, the communist group's apology and willingness to indemnify families for their losses "remained to be seen," saying the CPP-NPA have committed other illegal acts in the past.

"They have committed similar crimes in the past and admitted to have perpetrated the dastardly acts. But they have not done anything since to compensate the victims but empty promises or claims of indemnification," Arevalo said in another statement.

"If they did not perform any acts to indemnify their victims in the past, how may we expect them to recompense for their crime this time? And if they will make amends this time, why not pay for their past transgressions as well?" the AFP official added.

Clear violation of law

Andolong also said that the communist rebel groups' use of landmines is a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law.

"It is also undeniable proof of the communist terrorist group's (CTG’s) utter disregard for the safety of innocent civilians," DND spokesman said.

For his part, Arevalo said they have reported to the United Nations and other international and local bodies who are overseeing the ban on landmines under the International Humanitarian Law.

"We have reported to the UN, and other international and local bodies overseeing this ban the 141 incidents of production, stockpiling, transporting, and use of APMs by these terrorists in the past decade," Arevalo explained.

"We will be unrelenting in the pursuit of justice for the 224 casualties, including 29 civilians, five of whom were killed," said Arevalo.

Absalon and his cousin Nolven were killed by an improvised explosive device blast on Sunday morning. Nolven’s 16-year-old son was injured. — BM, GMA News