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Philippine Island Attack Toll Reaches 9

Philippine soldiers (File Photo)
Philippine soldiers (File Photo)

Police and military clashed with suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in the central Philippine island province of Bohol.

Nine people have been killed in the shootout between the bandits and joint military and police forces in the town of Inabanga, authorities said, CNN reported.

Five of those killed were suspected Abu Sayaff while four others were government troops-one from the Philippine National Police and three from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

A statement relayed by Army Spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said the army encountered a group of “heavily-armed lawless elements” in Barangay Napo, Inabanga, Bohol.

Residents reported 10 armed men aboard three pump boats disembarked at the Inabanga River on Monday night. The river is one of the area’s tourist sites.

Dela Rosa said the armed men may be members of the Abu Sayyaf because of how they operated: arriving in the area aboard boats.

The PNP chief also said if they can confirm the armed men are members of Abu Sayyaf, the bandits’ goal is to execute kidnappings in the area.

This comes following a US Embassy warning to its citizens against travel in central Visayas, including Bohol, due to an “unsubstantiated yet credible information” of terror threat in the area.

 

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