FEU booter, cousin killed in IED explosion in Masbate
LEGAZPI CITY – Two were killed, including a football player of the Far Eastern University (FEU), while a minor was wounded in Masbate City in an explosion of a bomb believed to have been planted by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on Sunday.
In a statement, Maj. Malu Calubaquib, Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) spokesperson, said the incident in Purok 4, Barangay Anas killed Nolven Absalon, 40, and his cousin, FEU varsity player Keith Absalon, 21.
Chrisbin Daniel Absalon, 16, Nolven’s son, sustained injuries and is under treatment at Masbate Provincial Hospital.
A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) exploded while the victims were cycling.
The Masbate City Police Station received information from local residents about the explosion.
“Based on the investigation, the victims were cycling with their family and relatives going to Barangay B. Titong in the town proper,” Calubaquib said.
Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, PRO-5 director, ordered the deployment of an additional police team in the area.
“All adjacent police stations were directed to conduct checkpoints,” Calubaquib added.
PRO-5 condemned the rebel group’s attack.
“Ang insidenteng ito ay isa namang malinaw na patunay sa makasariling pilosopiya ng mga NPA, karahasang walang pinipiling tao, lugar o edad. Ang PNP Bicol ay kaisa ng bawat pamilyang Bicolano upang tuldukan ang limang dekadang pananakot at pagkitil sa mga buhay ng mga inosenteng mamamayan,” Estomo said in a statement.
