The New People's Army should surrender those responsible for the roadside bombing in Masbate City that killed a college football player if it is indeed sincere in its apology, a top police official said on Wednesday, June 9.
Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), issued the statement after the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the NPA, apologized for the death of football player Kieth Absalon and his cousin Nolven Absalon.
The two victims were riding on a bike when the Improvised explosive device planted by the NPA supposedly for government troopers went off. Nolven's son was injured during the blast.
"Justice is what the relatives of the victims is asking, not only public apology. If they are indeed sincere, they have to surrender those responsible," said Eleazar.
Eleazar added that just like the PNP and other government agencies, the issuance of public apology comes with strong action to punish those who committed the crime.
State forces are currently conducting pursuit operations for the arrest of the communist rebels behind the incident. Three communist rebels in Bicol were killed in an encounter during the pursuit operation in Masbate.
Eleazar also tasked all police units to be on alert for possible attacks from the CTGs, citing the possibility that the CPP leadership has ordered the intensified attacks against the PNP.
“This is a way of the CPP-NPA of showing they are still a force to reckon with but it just shows that their numbers are steadily decreasing and that they are losing strength,” said Eleazar.