Abu Sayyaf presence on Cebu island still unsubstantiated —local execs

Military and police forces could not conclude just yet if the Abu Sayyaf has indeed landed on the shores of the Olango Island Group in Cebu, since the testimony of the only person who supposedly saw its armed members remains uncorroborated.

GMA News' Victoria Tulad reported on Balitanghali that the resident who allegedly spotted two armed men near their home on one of the islands near Lapu-Lapu City could not be considered credible because there was still no evidence to prove the claim.

The witness supposedly saw the armed men when they left their home to use the toilet. The armed men allegedly each had a rifle and had their faces covered, while one was was seen limping.

Police Chief Inspector Miguel Andeza, Olango Police chief, said the witness' account seemed improbable as the person could not have gotten the level of detail if the person was running away after spotting the men.

Lapu-Lapu City Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong and all law enforcement authorities said in the report on 24 Oras that Olango and Lapu-Lapu City are still considered safe.

"I would like to inform the public, most especially the Oponganons na nothing to be worried. Siguro na-misinterpret lang ng nakakita doon na mayroong tao doon, assuming nung nangyari sa Bohol, baka akala 'yun din ang nangyari," Ycong assured.

"As far as our conversation is concerned, they cannot conclude na mayroong presence talaga nung — kumbaga, kung mayroon mang indicators, wala tayong mako-conclude na Abu Sayyaf ba yun talaga," P/Supt. Rex Lomente, Lapu-Lapu Deputy City Director for Operations, said.

However, security forces on the island remain augmented as authorities have not completely discounted the account.

"Sa ngayon, masasabi ko na manageable yung area natin. May na-augment dito, kahapon pa 'to sila, pero for purposes lang na yung sabi ko, hindi naman natin dinidiscount na baka mamaya, magkatotoo," Andeza said on Balitanghali.

Andeza added that they still have no evidence proving the witness' account in spite of the abandoned hut they found during their initial search on Friday, as seen in another report by Tulad on 24 Oras.

Tourists are still pouring into Olango and residents who left while military and police forces were in the island have returned. — Rie Takumi/MDM, GMA News