2 killed, teen hurt in Masbate blast

LEGAZPI CITY – Two persons were killed while a 16-year-old boy was wounded after a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in Masbate City in Masbate province on Sunday morning.

Police Colonel Joriz Cantoria, Masbate police chief, said in a report that Nolven Absalon, 40, and his cousin Kieth Absalon, 21, died at the explosion in Barangay (village) Anas at around 6:45 a.m.

Nolven’s son Chrisbin Daniel was wounded in his right index finger and was taken to Masbate Provincial Hospital for treatment.

Cantoria said the victims, all residents of Barangay Nursery, were biking around the area when the incident happened.

He has directed all the police stations to put up checkpoints for possible interception of the fleeing suspects.

Police are still conducting an investigation to determine the motive behind the killing.