Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago also extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Kieth Absalon, one of Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws’ promising football stars. 

“We support the call for an independent and thorough investigation as we seek justice for the deceased; this Representation will file a House Resolution on this matter as we welcome CHR’s own investigation,” Elago said.

“With the circumstances surrounding the death being unclear, it is important that we exhaust efforts to ascertain the details regarding the incident before jumping into conclusions and hold the perpetrators accountable so as to bring swift justice to the bereaved families,” she added.

The lady solon further stressed that the incident highlights why the government must resume the peace negotiations and resolve the decades-long conflict through addressing the roots of armed struggle such as extreme poverty, abuse, marginalization, and injustice. 

“Ayaw na manahin ang mga ito ng  mga kabataan. Tama na ang all-out war! Isulong ang hustisya, katarungan, at kapayapaan,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite also called for the operationalization of the Joint Monitoring Committee, a body formed to investigate alleged violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law between the government and the communist rebels.

“The JMC, which is tasked to address alleged violations of the CARHRIHL must be operationalized to carry out an independent probe into the alleged blasting of an improvised explosive device that killed Keith and Nolven Absalon,” Gaite explained.

“If revolutionary forces are indeed behind the deployment of the alleged IED, then bringing a case before the JMC would be the best way to make them accountable. Both government and rebel forces are bound by this agreement on human rights and this mechanism under CARHRIHL is designed exactly to address such incidents,” said Gaite.