PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has promised that justice would be served for the death of football player Keith Absalon and his cousin in a landmine explosion in Masbate City, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Absalon, his cousin Nolven and a 16-year-old nephew were biking in Barangay Anas, Masbate City on Sunday morning when the blast occurred, killing the two men and injuring the boy.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte vowed to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the incident.

'Narinig po ni Presidente ang hiling at iyak ng pamilya ni Keith ng hustisiya lalo na at nagsabi ang pamilya na binaril ang mga biktima (The President heard the wish and the cries of Keith's family for justice, especially since they claimed that the victims were shot),' Roque said during a virtual press briefing.

'Nangako ang Pangulo na masusi itong iimbestigahan at pagbabayarin ang may sala (The President vowed that this will be thoroughly investigated and those guilty will be held responsible),' he added.

The Palace official also extended condolences to the victims' families as he condemned the incident, which he called an international war crime.