Manhunt for Masbate blast suspects launched

MANILA, Philippines — Police and the military have launched a manhunt for suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who planted an improvised explosive device (IED) that killed a footbal player and his cousin in Masbate.

Kieth Absalon, 21, and his cousin Nolven Absalon, 40, were killed when the IED went off in Barangay Anas, Masbate City on Sunday morning.

Kieth was a member of the Far Eastern University Men’s Football Team and of the Malaya FC.

Nolven’s minor son was wounded in the incident.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar ordered his men to coordinate with the military in conducting a manhunt for the killers.

“We will not stop until we exact justice for the innocent lives that were lost and those injured in this blast,” Eleazar said yesterday.

Police visibility has been intensified in the area to prevent a repeat of the incident.

Lt. Col. Siegfried Felipe Awichen, chief of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion ordered his troops to hunt down the perpetrators and intensify security measures in Masbate.

The Philippine Army expressed belief that the NPA has become desperate due to the sustained and successful operations of the military and police against them as well as the campaign of the government to put an end to the country’s insurgency problem.

Several hours after the attack in Masbate, another explosion occurred in Legazpi City, Albay, which left four persons wounded including a lawyer.

Col. Aldwine Almase, commander of the Army’s 903rd Infantry Brigade, said the attacks were meant to intimidate the communities and local officials.

“They are trying to regain the influence and support they used to enjoy from the masses, whom they had deceived before the Joint Task Force Bicolandia and the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict launched sustained anti-insurgency operations in the region,” Almase said, referring to the NPA. – Michael Punongbayan