Filipinos flee homes as terror group turns focus north

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

Hundreds of residents fled their homes on the island province of Bohol on Tuesday, a local official said, after a gun battle between security forces and Abu Sayyaf militants.

In comments broadcast on GMA TV, Governor Edgar Chatto said around “400 households near the encounter site evacuated to safe grounds and were being assisted by proper government agencies.”

Earlier three soldiers, a policeman and at least five suspected members of Daesh-linked Abu Sayyaf were killed in fighting that broke out around 5.00 a.m. local time (2100GMT Monday) in the coastal town of Inabanga.

Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said clearing and pursuit operations against the group were ongoing in some areas of Inabanga.

Abu Sayyaf activity on Bohol sparked concerns that the group could be planning to carry out kidnappings in the central Philippines. Bohol and neighboring Cebu province are popular destinations for tourists.

The group has usually kidnapped sailors around its Sulu archipelago stronghold in the southeast and has not previously ventured further north.

Active since 1991, Abu Sayyaf currently holds dozens of hostages including Filipinos, Vietnamese nationals, Indonesians and a Dutch national.

It usually carries out the abductions for ransom but has beheaded prisoners when its demands have not been met.

Reporting by Hader Glang; Writing by Andrew Peter Wilks