Armed Forcers of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla presided over a press briefing in Malacañang to announce that the threat from the Abu Sayyaf (ASG) in Bohol has been eliminated.
“Security threats in Bohol have been addressed,” Padilla stated.
The AFP made this pronouncement even if government troops have not captured two remaining ASG members who remain at large in the island.
Padilla claims, the two bandits cannot do anymore harm.
“The two remaining ASG members pose no threat anymore. They are just fighting for their lives,” Padilla said.
The AFP issued these statements in a bid to assure residents and tourists that Bohol is now a safe place.
The military spokesperson noted, the AFP was able to stop a terror plot.
“This past Holy Week, we were able to foil plans of an elite force of upcoming, ‘long-distance’ members of the ASG,” Padilla said.
He was referring to the arrival of about 11 armed men on board three pumpboats in Inabanga river two weeks ago or on April 10.
The area is a popular tourist destination in Barangay Napo, Inabanga, Bohol.
The following day (April 11), six Abu Sayyaf members were killed in a clash with soldiers and policemen.
ASG sub-commander Muammar Askali, alias Abu Rami, was reportedly among those killed.
Three soldiers and a cop also died in the encounter.
Law enforcers believed the bandits had wanted to stage kidnapping activities during the Holy Week.