Kieth Absalon, a 21-year-old football player of FEU, was killed by a landmine, purportedly planted by NPA rebels, that exploded in Purok 4, Brgy. Anas, Masbate on Sunday (June 6, 2021). Reports said his cousin Nolven, 40, and nephew Chrisbin, 16, also died.

The entire CPP and NPA express deep remorse and take full responsibility for the untimely deaths of cousins Kieth and Nolven Absalon resulting from the errors of an NPA unit in a military action last Sunday in Masbate City.

The Joint Monitoring Committee, a body assigned to look into rights abuses of both government forces and communist rebels, should investigate the death of FEU football player Kieth Absalon in Masbate, Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite said in a statement.

Kieth Absalon‘s family believes the athlete was not only killed due to an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion because he appeared to have been shot, his sister said on Monday, seeking justice for his death.

Kieth Absalon was still wearing his FEU shirt when he was killed. The Philippine Football Federation mourns the passing of Far Eastern University football player Kieth Absalon. “It is heartbreaking to see a promising player’s future in Kieth Absalon cut short due to a terrible incident. We pray that his soul rest in peace.”