Military raises alert in Eastern Mindanao amid Abu Sayyaf, NPA threat

To prevent the Abu Sayyaf from conducting diversionary tactics in the area after suffering a setback in Inabanga, Bohol, the military's Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) has heightened its alert level, its spokesperson said Thursday.

In a press statement, Maj Ezra Balagtey, EastMinCom public information office chief, said the heightened alert was also to prevent the communist New People’s Army (NPA) from taking advantage of the situation in Bohol.

He said the alert level was raised at the heels of the successful joint operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police on April 11 against Abu Sayyaf members who entered Inabanga on board three pumpboats.

He said the Tactical Operations Group 10 of the Philippine Air Force based in Cagayan de Oro City has dispatched two aircraft and other personnel toward Bohol to provide additional capability in pursuing the rest of the Abu Sayyaf group who managed to escape Tuesday morning's joint military-police operation.

On the other hand, the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao has dispatched some of its personnel and equipment to provide additional naval capability to Central Command on April 12 as they continue to conduct pursue operations, Balagtey said.

He added that troops in different areas of the Eastern Mindanao Command are closely coordinating with different local government units and other law enforcement agencies using established mechanism in their respective areas of jurisdiction to strengthen securities of various communities, installations, and infrastructure.

Eastmincom covers the Davao region, CARAGA, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, as well as Sarangani, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, and General Santos City.

Six members of the Abu Sayyaf, including its sub-leader Muammar Askali alias Abu Rami, were killed in the joint operation.

Security officials said they already monitored the movement of the bandit group in Indanan, Sulu, as early as April 6 and 7 before 11 of its members, including Rami, arrived at Inabanga on April 10.

The military said the Abu Sayyaf members arrived in Inabanga with the help of some local residents.

Three soldiers and a policeman were killed in the encounter.

AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año said Wednesday that government security forces are tracking down the five Abu Sayyaf members who were part of the group that went to Bohol but were able to escape following Tuesday's clash. --Amita Legaspi/KBK, GMA News