Bato: Abu members’ days are numbered
Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa has warned the remaining Abu Sayyaf members who had escaped from government troops in Inabanga, Bohol that their days are numbered.
Dela Rosa made the warning after President Rodrigo Duterte announced in Bohol the P1 million reward for anyone who can help provide information on the whereabouts of the remaining members of the terrorist group.
Dela Rosa said the president is determined to wipe out the Sulu-based terror group.
The top police official said the reward dangled by Duterte will greatly help in the ongoing effort to track down the remaining ASG members.
“Sa ini-offer ni president nga one million each, bawat isa sa kanila sino makapagbigay nang information sa ilang pagkasikop, nahirapan na sila, bilang na ang araw nila pangitaon gayud sila sa mga tawo ilabi na giestimate karon six pa ang wala kagawas,” Dela Rosa said.
Despite the presence of the Abu Sayyaf members in Central Visayas, Dela Rosa assured the public that Cebu and Bohol remain safe.
“Okey wala ko nakita nga problema sa Cebu, so far, ang na-feel nato nga kabalaka dahil sa presensiya sa Abu Sayyaf, pero aside ato wala nakoy nakita nga problema,” he added.
He said the presence of the bandit group in Bohol did not threaten the entire province.
“Aware na ang mga tawo, knowing mga Boholanos simple lang tawo, pero dili magpabaya, dili magpabaya nga maghari ang mga Abu Sayyaf, isolated lang, wala nakakaylap ug wala nakahulga sa tibuok probinsiya, ug dali ra usab nabantayan,” Dela Rosa said.
Duterte and Dela Rosa were in Bohol last Wednesday. The PNP chief also took the opportunity to personally visit the family of Police Officer 2 Rey Anthony Nazareno, one of the fatalities from the government side during the encounter with the terrorists last week.
Dela Rosa said he feels the pain that the family of Nazareno is going through.
“Ma-feel nako ilang kasakit, ilabi na nawagtangan sila og parte sa pamilya, pero na-feel nako nga proud ang ginikanan ilabi na bayanihon ang gihimo sa anak niini, maoy ako pahimangno sa PNP nga maniguro ug part man sa ilaha trabaho nga mahimo silang mamatay pero maayo magmabinantayon usab sila,” Dela Rosa added.
Dela Rosa gave Nazareno a posthumous award and financial assistance to the family.
“Ako siyang gihatagan og medalya ng kadakilaan tungod sa iyang maayong binuhatan ug hinabang ngadto sa pamilya alang sa pagpalubong niini,” Dela Rosa said.
Aside from Nazareno, three soldiers were also killed during the encounter. They were 2nd Lt. Estelito Saldua Jr., Corporal Meljun Cajaban, and Sergeant John Dexter Duero.
Four alleged ASG members, including their leader Muamar Askali alias Abu Rami, were also killed in the gunfight in Barangay Napo, Inabanga, Bohol.