Grieving has been the Absalon family for the tragedy that struck its family, that saw 21-year-old Kieth and 40-year-old cousin Nolven die last Sunday.
And they are hoping that justice is served for their losses.
“Mahirap isipin at tanggapin ang nangyari sa kuya at sa pinsan ko. Hindi nila deserve,” said Kieth’s sister Nathalia, a student-athlete of University of Santo Tomas.
“Hiling na lang po ng buong pamilya na makamit ang hustisya.”
Police reports stated that Kieth, Nolven, and 16-year-old Chrisbin were biking along Purok 4, Barangay Anas in Masbate at around 6:45AM. However, the three stepped on a landmine allegedly planted by members of the New People’s Army.
Kieth and Nolven did not survive the explosion, while Chrisbin suffered injuries.
The report also said that there were armed men in the vicinity.
The family then revealed that the explosion only caused injuries to Kieth and Nolven. The two were actually shot point-blank by alleged members of the NPA.
“We believe na hindi po sila namatay dahil lang po sa landmine. Based on my parents and relatives statement and sa pictures na din po, meron pong bakas ng bala na makikita, which is why they died,” the statement of Nathalia continued.
“Makikita ‘yung bakas ng bala sa mukha ng kuya ko at sa ulo at maging sa likod ng pinsan ko.”
Earlier in the day, Philippine National Police chief General Guillermo Eleazar ordered a manhunt on the suspects of the killing of the Far Eastern University standout.
“Again, lives were lost because of the hostile acts of this communist terrorist group,” said Eleazar.
“Iyong isa sa mga inosenteng sibilyan na naging biktima ng pagsabog, si Keith Absalon, malayo pa sana ang mararating kung hindi dahil sa mga teroristang NPA.”
