Army captures NPA exec allegedly involved in death of footballer Kieth Absalon

MANILA, Philippines — Almost two years after the incident, an alleged ranking official of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) said to be responsible for the death of Far Eastern University football player Kieth Absalon was arrested in Malabon City.

The Philippine Army identified the official as Dindo Monsanto, the Chief of Operations for the Regional Operational Command (ROC) of the Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC) of the NPA.

Monsanto was arrested in a joint police and military operation in  Barangay Baritan at around 2:30 am on Tuesday.

“As Head of ROC, BRPC, Monsanto played a pivotal role in coordinating and executing several major atrocities,” the Army said in a press release on Tuesday.

“These include the killing of Keith Absalon, a talented football MVP player from Far Eastern University, in June 2021,” it also said.

An improvised explosive device planted by NPA went off at the village of Anas in Masbate City on June 6, 2021, killing Absalon and his cousin, labor leader Nolven Absalon.

The Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing took “full responsibility” for the death of the cousins and expressed “deep remorse” for it.

READ: CPP ‘probes’ Masbate landmine blast: If NPA erred, it would be corrected

The Army also said Monsanto was also implicated in an ambush  and a raid of a police station in Camarines Norte which led to the death of six police officers.

Monsanto has standing warrants of arrest for five counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, one count of robbery with homicide, and violation of the anti-terrorism law, according to the Army.

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JPV