TROOPS STOP ‘ASG LEADER’ IN CLASH
ASEAN meetings in Bohol to proceed next week, “business as usual,” police official says But stay vigilant, authorities appeal, as clearing operations continue in Inabanga town
PRO 7 to send photos, specimen for DNA test to verify if body found is that of Muamar Askali a.k.a Abu Rami Government troopers who were killed in action will be given honors during their burials, says official
In a fiery exchange of bullets and bombs, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police snuffed the life out of the leader of the militant group that attacked Sitio Ylaya, Barangay Napo, Inabanga, Bohol yesterday morning.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Noli Taliño identified the casualty as Muamar Askali alias Abu Rami, together with four other suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
“We will send his photo for identification and a specimen for a DNA test if we have to, just to confirm that it was really him. Even if he looked like Abu Rami,” Taliño said.
The clearing operation in Sitio Ylaya started at 3 a.m. yesterday with troops going back and forth to fetch their fallen companions.
At 7 a.m., operatives from Bohol Public Safety Company recovered the body of PO2 Rey Anthony Nazareno, an officer of the Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat), from Sitio Ylaya, just a few meters from the camp of the Jihadist group Abu Sayyaf.
Four hours later, at 11 a.m., there was no more resistance from the rebel side and Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) arrived and cordoned the area where the bodies of the suspected rebels lay.
Abu Rami’s left temple was scraped off by a bullet.
For now, authorities have yet to reveal how the militant leader died, whether it was through an airstrike by the Philippine Airforce or direct assault from the military, which forced him out of a foxhole, where he had hidden and shot at the government forces.
Also on the ground were two men who fell on the ground from a volley of bullets.
Two seniors, a woman and a man, were also shot to death just a few meters from each other.
In the government side, the casualties were identified as 2nd Lt. Estelito Saldua Jr., Corporal Meljun Cabajan, Sgt. John Dexter Duero including PO2 Nazareno.
Also wounded was Corporal Chris Jude Borlas, who is now at the Tubigon Community Hospital.
Lt. Gen. Oscar Lactao of the AFP said that they have decimated the capability of the rebel members to fight back.
Five were confirmed to have been killed in the rebel side, while the authorities are still monitoring five others who are still at large.
“Bohol is the safest place on Earth after this incident because the successful operation proved that we don’t back down that easily,” Lactao.
The four government forces who sacrificed their lives in the encounter will be given honors during their burial, Lactao said.
Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto assured local and foreign tourists that government has contained the situation.
“We will not loosen our defenses as long as our government forces are with us,” Chatto said.
Inabanga Mayor Josephine Jumamoy said that even if they did not the expect the clash to erupt, they are still grateful for the cooperation of the residents and agencies.
Inabanga is a third-class municipality about 60 kms. from Tagbilaran, Bohol.
According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 45,880.
In the 2016 electoral roll, it had 25,979 registered voters. /
Bohol is the safest place on Earth after this incident because the successful operation proved that we don’t back down. LT. GEN. OSCAR LACTAO