Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 13) — Life goes on in Inabanga, Bohol despite ongoing operations to pursue remnants of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) that clashed with government forces earlier this week.
Being a Catholic-dominated town, people in Inabanga carry on with the traditional Lenten practices despite the recent violence that led to the death of one of the ASG leaders Muammar Askali, also known as “Abu Rami.”
Father Dale Duallo of the Saint Paul Parish said activities for Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday would all push through.
However, a small parish in a remote village located within the area of military operations had to temporarily close down.
According to local government agencies, more than 1,700 families are now staying in evacuation centers due to the armed conflicts.
The evacuees are allowed to return to their homes during daytime to check on their houses and farm animals, but are required to return to their temporary shelters before nightfall for their own safety.
The Police Regional Office in Western Visayas is also stepping up security in the area to look for leads on where the rest of the bandits could have escaped.
A squad of army troops was also seen speaking to residents and patrolling an area in the Inabanga River, as they may be checking on the security situation.
Rami was among the six Abu Sayyaf killed by joint military and police forces in a firefight that began early Tuesday in Barangay Napo in Inabanga. Three military troops and one policeman were also killed in the clash.
Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa earlier said the bandits’ objective was to execute kidnappings.
