3 Masbate blast suspects killed in clash

MANILA, Philippines — Three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have been slain in pursuit operations for the perpetrators of a bomb attack that killed a football player and his cousin in Masbate.

Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., Southern Luzon Command chief, said three M16 rifles and an M14 rifle were recovered at the site of the encounter in Barangay Anas in Masbate City.

Parlade said soldiers belonging to the 9th Infantry Division and local policemen clashed with around 30 NPA rebels at around 5:30 a.m. yesterday.

He said the slain rebels could be among those who planted an improvised explosive device that killed Keith Absalon, 21, of the Far Eastern University men’s football team and his cousin Nolven, 40, also in Barangay Anas, on Sunday. The victims were biking with their relatives when the IED went off.

Nolven’s 16-year-old son, who was wounded, is now in stable condition in a hospital.

Parlade said pursuit operations for the rebels would continue.

Meanwhile, government troopers recovered 11 M16 rifles and an M653, believed to have been left by fleeing NPA rebels, in a nipa hut at the boundary of Barangay Anas.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana denounced NPA attacks against civilians, saying these are “clear manifestation of anti-people and anti-development ways.”

“The attacks against non-combatants are desperate attempts by communist terrorist groups to regain influence and support from the people who have grown tired of their deception and are now denouncing their lawless activities,” Sobejana said.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the perpetrators of the bomb attack should be charged for committing a crime against humanity.

“The use of land mines is an international crime. It’s not just a crime in the Philippines, it is a crime against humanity,” Roque told a press briefing.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar ordered all police units to be on alert for NPA attacks and intensify monitoring and intelligence-gathering, especially in rebel-infested areas.

Eleazar said police chiefs should coordinate with the military for augmentation of personnel in the event of an attack. – Alexis Romero