4 more Abu Sayyaf members may still be at large in Bohol

At least four more Abu Sayyaf group members may still be at large in Bohol province after a clash between the local terrorists and security forces on Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, told News To Go in an interview on Wednesdsay that the number of fatalities from the Abu Sayyaf's side has climbed to six.

The military announced on Tuesday that a total of five Abu Sayyaf members were killed in the clash in Inabangan town.

He said one more bandit was killed by troops in a clash around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Padilla added that the fatality from the government's side stands at four, including three military troopers and a policeman.

Security analyst Rommel Banlaoi said he received information that among the slain bandits was a sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf identified as Nammil Ahajari, a follower of Muammar Askali whose group is based in Sulu.

Padilla said that based on information received by the military, at least 10 Abu Sayyaf member slipped into Bohol on board three speedboats.

"Sa ngayon tuluy-tuloy ang ginagawa nating clearing at mopping up operation para masiguro na wala nang naiiwan na banta dyan (Inabangan)," he said.

Bohol gov. Edgar Chatto told GMA News' State of the Nation that sporadic gunfires were heard until late Tuesday.

Chatto said at least 200 residents in Barangay Napo were displaced by the clash.

Padilla said that residents are advised to stay away from Barangay Napo until after security forces have made sure that the village has been cleared of the Abu Sayyaf threat.

He said the speedboats used by the bandits have been confiscated.

Initial reports said the bandits were planning to carry out kidnapping in the province.

The detection of the Abu Sayyaf members' presence in Bohol came two days after the United States Embassy issued a travel advisory for its citizens in the country.

The embassy advised Americans that they received information about a terror and kidnapping threat in Bohol and Cebu and other provinces in Central Visayas.

Other foreign embassies have issued similar travel warnings.

In a separate interview on Unang Hirit, Padilla said that the only information they received was the Abu Sayyaf members were planning to carry out kidnappings in the region.

"Hindi pa rin natin tiyak ang pakay ng grupo na ito pero batay sa ating mga pinanghahawakang impormasyon simula ng nakaraang linggo may mga nagsisibalak na mandukot at mangidnap muli tulad ng nangyari ng mga nakaraang taon sa ibat ibang panig ng kapuluan ng mga may banta ng masasamang loob," he said.

The military spokesman assured that the government's security forces are prepared to face the Abu Sayyaf threat in Central Visayas.

He said security forces in Central Visayas are on heightened alert and security measures around the region have been placed to address the threat.

The Abu Sayyaf group is based in the southernmost part of Mindanao, particularly in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Padilla said they have no information if the Abu Sayyaf has a network in Central Visayas, particularly in Bohol. —ALG, GMA News