Duterte vows justice for football player, cousin killed in Masbate blast

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to investigate and hold accountable the persons behind the blast in Masbate City that led to the death of two civilians, Malacañang said Thursday.

Far Eastern University football player Kieth Absalon and his cousin Nolven died when an improvised explosive device was detonated along the road in Barangay Anas while the duo was biking with their family.

“Narinig po ni Presidente ang hiling ng pamilya ni Kieth na hustisya lalo na at nagsabi ang pamilya na binaril ang mga biktima. Nangako ang Pangulo na masusi itong iimbestigahan at pagbabayaran ang may mga sala,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.

(The President learned of the cll for justice of Kieth’s family,  especially since they’ve said the victim was gunned down. The President promised to investigate this and hold accountable the persons behind it.)

Kieth Absalon (PHOTO FROM NATHALIE ABSALON’S FACEBOOK PAGE)

Roque also condoled with the victims’ families as he condemned the incident which he called an international war crime.

“Pwede pong hulihin, litisin at parusahan ang mga taong gumamit ng pasabog na ito kahit saang parte ng daigdig because what they did po was a crime against the international community. Mariin namin itong kinukundena,” Roque said.

(Those who used this explosive can be arrested, put on trial, and punished in any part of the world because what they did was a crime against the international community. We condemn this act.)

The Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) took full responsibility for the tragedy and expressed remorse over the death of the civilians.

gsg