The Manila Times

Suspect in killing of Absalons arrested

BY RHAYDZ B. BARCIA

LEGAZPI CITY: A 22-year-old daughter of a New People’s Army (NPA) leader implicated for the killing of Far Eastern University football player Keith Absalon and his cousin Nolven Absalon was arrested and put behind bars by the Philippine National Police in Masbate.

Mariel Suson, a resident of Barangay Cabungahan, Cawayan town, was apprehended for double murder charges and two other frustrated murder charges before the local court in Masbate.

Suson, who is aspiring to be a public school teacher, was apprehended through warrant of arrest issued by Judge Arnelo Mesa of the Regional Trial Court Branch 45 in Masbate City, Maj.

Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police regional spokesperson said.

She is the daughter of Rogelio Suson, alias Manong/Julio, secretary of the NPA Larangan 2 of the communist Bicol Regional Party Committee.

Calubaquib said the younger Suson was arrested at 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday in her village.

Col. Juriz Cantoria, Masbate police chief, affirmed Suson is facing double murder and two frustrated murder charges following the death of Keith, 21, and Nolven, 40.

According to police officials, Mariel is among those allegedly responsible for the detonation of a land mine that killed the Absalons while they were biking with relatives in Barangay Anas, Masbate City on June 6.

Aside from double murder charges and double frustrated murder charges, Suson is also facing another complaint over the killing of Reinerio Villamar, on April 22, also in Masbate City.

She is detained at the Masbate City police station for court disposition.

Early say

Suson

is a public school teacher but the Department of Education (DepEd) in Masbate denied this.

A statement issued by Nene R. Merioles, school division superintendent in Masbate, claimed Suson is not a teacher of a division nor a DepEd employee.

“This office wants to clarify the person arrested is an applicant for teaching position in our division and was able to submit the required application documents. However, she was not yet able to pass our hiring process and thus she is not actually a teacher of our division nor a DepEd employee,” Merioles said in

an official statement on

Wednesday.

“An officer of our division visited the person arrested and coordinated with government agencies involved in order to gather essential information that will guide us in formulating further action, if necessary.”

It can be recalled the Romulo Jallores Command and Jose Rapsing Command of the NPA operating in Bicol took responsibility for the detonation of the land mine that killed the Absalons. The NPA also appealed for forgiveness from the Absalon family for the “culpability” of their comrades. Masbate police investigators, meanwhile, filled

multiple charges against 23 other identified members of the NPA implicated in the killing of the

Absalons.

In a statement, LtCol. Steve dela Rosa, chief of police, identified the other terrorists as Eddie Rosero Dela Peña alias Ka Star; Lara Lagac alias Ka Ivan or Kian; Sonny Diamos; Eddie Basical Eser alias Ka Nono; Mario Esparaguerra alias Ka Mayong; Capitalio Mallo alias Ka M.I.; Diolito Medina Ochoco alias Ka Michael; Arlene Salazar Rance; Lloyd Mores Escorel; Ronel Plana Rodio alias Ka Moting; Jomar Tugbo alias Ka Alden; Jemuel Dublin; Allan Goyala Manlapas; Dolores Bilibit Rapsing alias Ka Oyeng; Jhun Bilibit Rapsing alias Ka Paka; Lenie Cabarles alias Ka Onang; Richard Laurio alias Ka Nonem; Rolly Hermina; Jesmar Noel; Marla Cañete Suson; Maila Cañete Suson Cawayan; Gilbert Turing and Allan Uling Sabala.

Regions

en-ph

2021-06-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://digitaledition.manilatimes.net/article/281930250946426

The Manila Times