A week after Bohol encounter; Visayas situation back to normal

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines —The Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command and Army’s 3rd Infantry Division have declared that all the regions in the Visayas are now back to normalcy, following the encounter between Abu Sayyaf bandits and government forces in Inabanga town in Bohol last week.

Major General Jon Aying, 3ID commander, yesterday said the encounter last April 11 was only confined in a coastal area of Inabanga, stressing that it was an “isolated incident,” although the news caused apprehension among the people.

Three soldiers, including a young Army lieutenant, as well as a policeman and four Abu Sayyaf members were killed in the firefight that lasted 12 hours.

President Rodrigo Duterte conferred a Gold Cross Medal (posthumous) on 2Lt. Estelito Saldua Jr., who led the operations of the 47th Infantry Battalion against the ASG. He and two of his personnel died in the battle.

The Gold Cross Medal is the AFP’s third highest military decoration for bravery.

Aying also said the Bohol encounter caused unnecessary panic among residents, particularly in Barangay Inayawan, a coastal area in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, when the presence of a group of armed men were monitored.

It was later found that they had been mistaken as occupants of a boat, who docked in the area Friday night last week.

Because of intensified military operations in Mindanao, especially in Sulu and Basilan areas, Aying said some of the Abu Sayyaf fled to Bohol to avoid military pressure.

If given a chance, the rebels may create diversionary tactics, he added.

Aying, who supervises Army units deployed in the Negros Island Region, Western and Central Visayas, including Bohol, said the ASG went to Bohol “unprepared,” as they were not able to establish a reliable base that could provide them sanctuary.

People immediately reported by their presence to authorities that led to the neutralization of five of their members, Aying added.

Aying acknowledged the timely information relayed by the town residents.

He also vowed that the military will wipe out armed groups in order to maintain peaceful communities across the region.

“Whoever they are, we will not spare them. They are salot (plague) in our society,” he said.

He rallied the people, especially in the coastal areas, to organize themselves and set up a communication network for them to report any presence of armed men who may penetrate their respective communities. (FREEMAN)