PNP orders intensified hunt for suspects in Masbate landmine attack

Kieth Absalon —UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday ordered intensified operations to immediately locate and arrest the 24 suspects involved in the landmine attack that killed university athlete Keith Absalon and his cousin Nolven Absalon in Masbate City.

The order came after the Masbate City Police lodged murder and frustrated murder complaints against 24 members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP – NPA) who were allegedly behind the landmine attack.

“Huwag nating hayaang makalayo pa ang mga ito at tuluyang matakasan ang patung-patong na reklamo na isinampa laban sa kanila. I am directing the local police to intensify their intelligence-gathering operations to immediately locate and arrest the suspects,” Eleazar said.

(Let us not allow them to escape the multiple complaints filed against them. I am directing the local police to intensify their intelligence-gathering operations to immediately locate and arrest the suspects.)

“Kung ayaw isuko ng CPP-NPA ang mga taong ito, tayo ang gagawa ng paraan para mabigyan ng hustisya ang kanilang mga biktima sa pamamagitan ng agresibong police operations laban sa kanila,” he added.

(If the CPP-NPA is not willing to hand them over, we will be the one to bring justice to their victims through aggressive police operations against them.)

One of the suspects, Mariel Suson, was arrested last Tuesday, June 22, and is now under the custody of the Masbate City Police Station.

The suspects linked to the landmine attack were identified as Eddie Rosero, (alias Ka Star), Lara Lagac (alias Ka Ivan), Sonny Diamos, Eddie Eser (alias Ka Nono), Mario Esparaguerra (alias Ka Mayong), Capitalio Mallo (alias Ka M.I.), Diolito Medin (alias Ka Michael/Uno),  Arlene Rance, Lloyd Escorel, Ronel Rodio (alias Ka Moting), Jomar Tugbo (alias Ka Alden), Jemuel Dublin, Allan Goyala, Dolores Bilibit (alias Ka Oyeng),  Jhun Bilibit (alias Ka Paka),  Lenie Cabarles alias (Ka Onang),  Richard Laurio alias (Ka Nonem),  Rolly Hermina,  Jesmar Noel (alias Ka Jesmar), Marla Suson, Maila Suson, Gilbert Turing and Allan Uling.

According to Eleazar, the capture of the suspects will also remove the fear and anxiety of Masbate City residents from further atrocities by the CPP-NPA.

Meanwhile, the CPP-NPA has accepted full responsibility for the deaths of the Absalon cousins but has failed to hand over any of its members linked to the landmine attack.

RELATED STORY

NPA in Bicol says sorry for death of FEU athlete in Masbate City blast

/MUF