Bohol town placed under state of calamity amid AFP ops vs. Abu Sayyaf

A state of calamity has been declared in Clarin, Bohol amid the ongoing hunt for the remaining Abu Sayyaf intruders who slipped into the province early this month.

Clarin Mayor Allen Piezas said the municipal council declared a state of calamity on Monday.

"Marami na po kasing barangay ang affected especially every time na may sighting sa mga bandito, siyempre pupuntahan 'yon ng mga tropa natin ng gobyerno," Piezas said.

He added that the presence of troops and the knowledge of the possible presence of Abu Sayyaf bandits creates panic among the residents.

Piezas said more or less 500 families or 2,300 people are affected by the military's operation in Clarin town.

"Mag-meeting kami ngayon sa local finance committee kung ano na angstatus ng ating expenditures simula noong tayo ay nag-establish ng blocking force, one week before the clash in Bacani, until ngayon nba may tropa sa aming bayan," he added.

In a dzBB interview, Piezas said 12 to 13 barangays are affected since the clashes in their town over the weekend. At least 3,000 Boholanos have been evacuated, he said.

"Every time may tropa sa ibang barangay, may sighting din dito tapos i-validate ng military and pulis, it will create a panic on the side of the people so yun ang rason," Piezas said.

"Clarin kasi is only a fifth-class municipality and the budget is very limited as to peace and order," he added.

Piezas said residents of Bohol have been "traumatized" since the presence of Abu Sayyaf was first reported in the province.

"Grabe ang trauma ng mga tao dito kasi first time ito. Alam niyo naman kung gaano ka-peaceful ang Bohol," he said.

Four Abu Sayyaf members, including Joselito Melloria, were killed by troops in clashes in Barangay Bacani in Clarin town on Saturday.

Authorities said at least three more Abu Sayyaf members are at-large in Clarin.

Police, meanwhile, arrested Senior Superintendent Maria Cristina Nobleza and her alleged boyfriend, suspected Abu Sayyaf bomber Reenor Lou Dungo.

Nobleza and Dungo were allegedly planning to rescue the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf intruders.

The bandits, led by Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Muammar Askali, slipped into the province, through Inabanga town, last April 11.

Askali and five other bandits were killed in clashes, which transpired after the police and the military discovered their presence in the province.

The military said Askali's group was planning to conduct kidnappings in the province, which has several tourist spots, including Panglao Island. — with Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/ALG/RSJ, GMA News